Coronavirus: UAE to trial distance learning on Wednesday

An hour-long trial is to be held on Wednesday to ensure all systems are working before a complete roll-out next week

An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images

A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images

One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National

An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters

A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP

A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters

An empty beach in Dubai. EPA

People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP

Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA

A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP

A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP

A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters

A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP

Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters

An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg

A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters

A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP

A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters

A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg

A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg

A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam

The Ministry of Education will trial a distance learning programme on Wednesday, before a nationwide roll-out next week.

The ministry said the hour-long pilot launch, from 4.30pm, was being held to ensure all systems were working smoothly for pupils to use beginning Sunday.

Nurseries, schools and universities were ordered to close for a month, beginning March 8, in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19. At the time, the ministry said pupils and students would be on spring break for the first two weeks and would undergo distance learning from home for the remaining fortnight.

"This [trial] aims to prepare students and ensure the effectiveness of using the system easily," the ministry said on Tuesday.

It said school administrations must draft working plans to adopt interactive learning programmes for teachers and pupils across all academic levels.

The plans should include instructions for teachers to encourage pupils to use the system, and provide motivation for parents to "ensure an effective educational experience for pupils".

This week, the ministry will organise remote specialist training sessions for 25,000 teachers and administrative personnel before the launch of the initiative next week.

Distance learning will begin Sunday, March 22, with pupils expected to return to classrooms on April 5.

Last week, the ministry dismissed rumours that schools will close until the start of the next academic term due to fears over coronavirus.

On Wednesday, numerous social media posts alleged schools would remain shut until September and that distance e-learning measures would be implemented instead.

But officials rejected the suggestion that the plan had been extended, urging residents "not to pay heed to such rumours".

''We urge members of the public … to refer to updates and instructions from official channels and sources on the ministry's website and social media accounts,'' a statement said.

''We will immediately announce any new developments. The interest of the students will always remain our top priority and the measures we take will serve their interest in tandem with the current situation."