About half of Dubai parents expect digital learning to continue, survey reveals

Majority of parents say time management is an issue

‘We Miss You’ banner posted on the boundary wall of the building. Pupils are being welcomed back after more than five months.

The Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park will welcome back 1,230 pupils on August 30. 'The National' takes a look at the Covid-19 precautionary measures taken to ensure staff and pupil safety. Campuses are beign reopened after more than five months of closure. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

The entrance of the school will soon include thermal scanners. There are dedicated entry and exit points for primary and secondary sections.

Storage units have been placed at a distance to prevent gathering.

Tables in the canteen area are distanced by two metres.

Markings have been placed in hallways throughout the school to encourage social distancing.

A total of 130 automatic hand sanitisers have been fitted across the school.

Desks inside classrooms have been distanced and only two pupils per table will be allowed.

Posters promoting good hygiene are placed in hallways and different areas of the school.

Partitions are placed in Year 1 classrooms.

At least 48 per cent of Dubai parents expect digital learning to continue, a survey has revealed.

The study, by the emirate's Executive Council, also found that forty per cent of parents spend up to three extra hours a day helping their child with online learning.

More than half - 53 per cent - said they had enough information to support their children's development at home but time management was an issue.

The report said that 68 per cent received adequate guidance and support from school while teaching their children at home but 65 per cent felt that distance learning was not as effective as face-to-face classes.

More than 2,000 parents of pupils in the emirate's government and private schools participated in the poll that was carried out to measure the impact of distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic in collaboration with Dubai's private schools regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)

The survey focused on three topics: students and parents experience with e-learning, distance learning and parents productivity and the long-term impact on school models.

It also found that 70 per cent of parents of pupils with special needs said the learning content had not been modified to meet their children's needs.

“Our focus throughout the last phase was on ensuring the safe return of students and teachers to schools," said Abdullah Al Basti, secretary general of the Executive Council.

"While students began to adapt to the new reality left by the pandemic, the importance of studying the effects of this pandemic on parents and students becomes clear."

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said that the education community in Dubai was able to overcome challenges brought by Covid-19.

“The period during which distance education was fully implemented has created new opportunities for developing various learning models in private schools in Dubai,” he said.

Schools closed in March to curb the spread of Covid-19. But since August school across the country have been reopening in a phased way to ensure the health of staff and pupils.