UAE schools await learning decision

UAE education authorities will announce on Sunday evening whether schools and higher education institutions will continue with remote learning or return to in-person classes, following a safety review coordinated with relevant government bodies.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the approved learning model for the coming period would be disclosed on May 10, 2026, after a full assessment of conditions affecting students, teachers, academic staff and administrative personnel. The decision will determine whether learning across schools, universities and colleges proceeds on campus or through distance platforms.

The announcement follows a nationwide shift to remote learning from Tuesday, May 5, to Friday, May 8, as a precautionary measure during a period of heightened regional security concern. Authorities have framed the move as a safety-first response aimed at protecting the education community while preventing disruption to the academic calendar.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority is also expected to issue its update on Sunday for private schools, early childhood centres, universities and training institutes under its jurisdiction. Private education operators have been asked to follow official channels and prepare for either outcome, reflecting a broader effort to avoid uncertainty for parents and school managements before the start of the new week.

Higher education institutions have been advised to maintain readiness for flexible learning arrangements. Academic programmes that require laboratory work, clinical training, practical sessions or other forms of direct attendance may continue with in-person components where approved safety procedures are in place. Examinations are also expected to proceed according to previously approved plans unless institutions are directed otherwise.

Officials have stressed that continuity of learning remains a central priority. The UAE’s education system has, over the past several years, built a stronger digital infrastructure after repeated transitions between classroom and online teaching during health, weather and emergency-related disruptions. Schools now routinely maintain learning management systems, online attendance tools and parent communication platforms, giving regulators more room to adjust learning models at short notice.

The forthcoming decision carries immediate implications for families, transport operators, school canteens, examination schedules and university timetables. Parents will be watching for clarity on whether buses will resume normal operations, whether students must return to campuses on Monday, and whether individual institutions will be allowed flexibility based on location, age group or curriculum requirements.

For schools, the main operational challenge is the speed of transition. A return to classrooms requires transport mobilisation, campus safety checks, staff scheduling and communication with parents. A continuation of remote learning requires updated timetables, digital lesson plans and attendance monitoring, especially for younger pupils who require closer supervision at home.

The issue also affects working parents, many of whom have had to adjust office routines and childcare arrangements during the distance-learning period. While remote learning ensures academic continuity, it places additional pressure on households where parents cannot work from home. Schools have also had to balance live online instruction with assignments that can be completed independently.

Education authorities have repeatedly emphasised that any decision will be based on safety assessments rather than convenience. The current review is being conducted with relevant agencies, indicating that security, transport, emergency readiness and institutional preparedness are likely to be part of the evaluation.

The UAE’s school sector is one of the region’s most diverse, with public schools and a large private education market serving pupils across British, American, IB, Indian and other curricula. This diversity makes a unified learning decision significant, as schools operate under different academic calendars and assessment systems. Universities face similar complexity, particularly in medicine, engineering, health sciences and applied programmes where remote instruction cannot fully replace practical training.

The Ministry of Education’s role covers the wider school framework and public education system, while the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research oversees higher education policy and institutional coordination. Dubai’s KHDA regulates private education in the emirate, and other local authorities are expected to align their guidance with federal-level safety assessments.