Education

Distance learning continues for some UAE schools Monday

As UAE schools prepare for the gradual return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, some schools have informed parents they will not be reopening their campuses on that date — while certain schools have made physical attendance compulsory for students who travel by private transport.

Leams Education, which runs several schools across the UAE, has confirmed it will not resume on-campus learning on Monday. CEO and director Nabil Hasan Lahir told Gulf News the schools required additional time to complete final-stage staff training, safety drills, emergency preparedness protocols, and full compliance documentation before KHDA could grant formal approval to reopen.

“Distance learning will continue next week to ensure a safe, fully compliant, and well-coordinated reopening,” he said.

On the learning model going forward, Lahir said a carefully phased transition to hybrid learning would follow KHDA approval, with rotational attendance, reduced on-campus density, and clearly defined timetables. He added that the schools had robust contingency plans in place to switch back to full remote learning immediately if circumstances changed — including trained staff, established online platforms, and structured timetables to ensure continuity without disruption.

Dubai schools hold back

Many Dubai schools echoed the same position with some saying they will continue distance education for at least one week while some said they will operate remotely until further notice.

Dubai Scholars told parents in a circular it will not reopen physically on Monday and continue online learning until further notice, citing pending KHDA approval. “This approval process will take a few days as there are many requirements that need to be compliant,” the circular read.

At Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills, principal Hitesh Bhagat struck a more reassuring tone in a personal letter to parents, saying the school hoped to reopen “at the earliest opportunity — likely Monday or Tuesday” — though this too remained subject to a successful on-site KHDA inspection.

“As parents, nothing matters more than the safety and wellbeing of our children, and I want to assure you that this remains at the centre of every decision we make,” Bhagat wrote. He confirmed he would write to parents on Sunday with a confirmed date.

Bhagat also addressed how classes would be structured, noting that KHDA guidelines do not permit a teacher to deliver lessons simultaneously to both in-person and online students. For primary school, students opting for distance learning would be placed in a dedicated online class, while senior school students would follow a full hybrid timetable with adjusted groupings where possible.

Surveying parents

Several other Dubai schools have similarly begun surveying parents on their preferred mode of learning as institutions plan hybrid arrangements ahead of the phased return.

JSS Private School in Dubai also told parents that online classes would continue until further notice, while it worked to fulfil all mandatory KHDA requirements.

In a circular signed by principal Chitra Sharma, the school said it was also gauging parent preferences asking families whether they would send their children to school in the absence of bus transport, should the school meet all minimum requirements for reopening.

No buses for now

All schools confirmed there would be no bus services available, in line with government directives.

The UAE Ministry of Education announced on Thursday that school bus operations would be postponed for all public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools across the country during the current phase, to allow time for operational readiness in coordination with transport authorities and municipalities. The measure is subject to weekly review.

Sharjah schools take a firmer line

In Sharjah, at least one school has taken a stricter approach. A parent confirmed to Gulf News they had received a circular stating that students who travel by private car would be required to attend school in person — with no option to opt for remote learning.

Students who normally use the school bus, however, would be given a choice between in-person and remote learning. The circular made clear that once a learning method was selected, it could not be changed. If in-person learning was chosen, the parent or guardian would be responsible for dropping off and picking up the student each day. The school said supervisors would contact families to confirm their preferred mode.

Ready, waiting for inspection

Meanwhile, Cognita UAE said it had completed all necessary preparations and was ready to welcome students back at its school. However, the group was still awaiting the completion of a regulatory inspection by KHDA before reopening its campuses.

Managing director Glen Radojkovich said the group intended to resume full in-person learning while also offering an online option for families needing additional flexibility. “We recognise that every family’s situation is different right now,” he said, adding that the return would be gradual and wellbeing-focused, in line with KHDA guidance.

On switching back to remote learning if circumstances change, Radojkovich said Cognita had a well-established online learning framework that could be activated smoothly if needed, combining live teaching, independent study, and regular teacher contact. On staffing for hybrid delivery, he said the group had planned carefully and would put the right structures in place, fully in line with Ministry of Education guidance, with a strong focus on pastoral care alongside academic continuity.

Education

UAE resumes in-person classes Monday

Regular classes on campuses will resume in all nurseries, kindergartens, and public and private schools in the UAE on Monday, April 20, 2026, the UAE’s Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday.

“The resumption of in-person education for all children and students, as well as educational and administrative staff, in nurseries, kindergartens, and public and private schools, starting Monday, April 20, 2026,” the ministry said in a social media post

This follows schools’ completion of the necessary readiness and preparation plans, including facility preparedness, training of educational and administrative staff, and updating safety and security procedures, thereby reinforcing a safe and reassuring learning environment for students and their families, the ministry clarified.

Hybrid rotational model

Private schools will have the flexibility to implement the hybrid rotational model when needed, in accordance with approved regulations and under the supervision of local education authorities, in a manner that takes into account the readiness of each educational institution and ensures smooth implementation.

However, the ministry clarified that private schools implementing the hybrid rotational model must organise staff deployment in a manner that supports continuity of learning and does not require assigning the same teacher to deliver both in-person and remote instruction simultaneously.

This is to “preserve education quality and balancing professional workloads for teaching staff.”

Prepared for alternative modes

Educational institutions will remain prepared to transition to alternative learning modes when needed, ensuring continuity of education with flexibility and smooth implementation, the ministry added.

The ministry’s announcement ends days of confusion and rumours about how long the UAE will continue distance learning for students. It also clarifies the path forward for educational institutions to face any possible challenges in the context of regional uncertainties.

Wednesday’s announcement is also expected to give ample time for parents to prepare for sending children back to campuses.

Gulf News

Education

Distance learning until April 3; reopening requests under review

Dubai’s school regulator has reaffirmed that all private educational institutions in the emirate must continue distance learning until Friday, April 3, even as some major school groups have already begun applying to return to campus earlier.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed the directive to Gulf News on Tuesday, reinforcing the announcement by the Education, Human Development and Community Council that remote learning remains in place across private schools, nurseries, and universities for now.

Distance learning stays

The KHDA’s statement leaves no ambiguity about the current position: classes stay online until further notice. “In line with the announcement by the Education, Human Development and Community Council, KHDA confirms that all private educational institutions in Dubai will continue distance learning until Friday, April 3, 2026,” a spokesperson said.

The authority posted the same on social media. “To ensure the safety of students, KHDA confirms the continuation of distance learning across all private educational institutions in Dubai until Friday, April,3 2026,” the post said.

To ensure the safety of students, KHDA confirms the continuation of distance learning across all private educational institutions in Dubai until Friday, April,3 2026.

Door open for requests

At the same time, the authority confirmed that schools wishing to return to on-site learning before that date are not without options — but the bar is clear.

KHDA also emphasised that any institution seeking to resume on-site learning must submit a formal request outlining clear and detailed justifications.

“Institutions that wish to apply for a return to on-site learning must submit a formal request to KHDA, outlining the specific circumstances and providing clear justification,” the spokesperson said.

Case-by-case decisions

No blanket approvals will be granted. Each application will be assessed on its own merits and referred to the education ministry for a final call. The final decision, issued by the Ministry of Education, will prioritise the safety of the educational community in Dubai,” KHDA said.

“These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be reviewed by the Ministry of Education in accordance with the approved regulations and procedures.”

Safety comes first

Above all else, the regulator made clear what will ultimately determine any decision. “The safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and the wider community will be the key factor in the Ministry of Education’s decision for any requests,” the spokesperson added.

KHDA’s statement comes as two of the UAE’s biggest private school groups, GEMS Education and Taaleem, confirmed to Gulf News they have already applied to reopen their campuses from March 30, ahead of the April 3 deadline.

Education

UAE moves spring break for schools and universities

The UAE on Wednesday announced an early spring break for students in schools and universities.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on Wednesday announced that spring break will begin for schools and universities from Monday, March 9, until Sunday, March 22.

The break applies to all students and academic and administrative staff across public and private schools as well as universities. Classes and official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Announce Spring Break for Students and Academic and Administrative Staff Across Schools and Universities in UAE

This follows the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD).

Earlier dates

In 2025, the UAE introduced a unified school calendar covering both public and private schools nationwide.

The previously approved spring break was from March 16 to 29 as per the official school calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year applying to all public and private schools across the country. The last day of class before the break was March 13.

The new decision taken amid the blatant Iranian aggression on the country will see students ending their online classes this weekend and moving on to the spring break.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research had extended distance learning across the country until Friday, March 6 with teaching and learning to continue remotely under ongoing assessment frameworks.

Safe environment

The government had clarified that it wants the education process to continue in a safe environment for the student community.

“We’re making sure education isn’t missing a beat by rolling out remote learning systems, guaranteeing students stay on track in their academic journey across all grades,” Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesperson for the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), had said during a government media briefing on the current developments in the country on Tuesday.

“We want our students to keep learning in a safe and steady environment, ensuring that education never skips a beat,” he added.