With schools, colleges, and educational institutions shut in a bid to control COVID-10 transmission, the pandemic outbreak has severely impacted the education sector. Amid the difficult times, the UAE has been at the forefront in facilitating an effective smart education model in the country. According to UAE Minister of Education Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the country's smart education model has helped around 1.2 million students without any obstructions.

A webinar was organized by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Beirut to discuss the future of education in the post-Coronavirus world. In the webinar, 500 participants including the UAE elucidated on various challenges the global education system is facing while ensuring a continuous flow of distance learning through proactive solutions. Furthermore, the participants also discussed various ways of dealing with the changes and emergencies occurring in the process of imparting education.

The UAE Minister of Education asserted that providing an effective learning system in the post-COVID-19 era is contingent on the ability of the administration to address the challenges that have emerged through time.

"In the meantime, we have to build on the gains we have made at various levels in order to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all without favouring a segment at the expense of others," he added.

Al Hammadi went on to shed light on the four factors serving as the main enablers for addressing the besetting challenges. These are - advanced technological infrastructure; effective policies and regulations; more flexible and enriched curriculums; and effective training and rehabilitation.

He added that the educational outputs should be measured according to a set of fundamentals, such as establishing a holistic monitoring and evaluation system which should be supported adequate investments and effective partnerships. A continuous exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer helps in establishing the required partnership.

Meanwhile, Al Hammadi, earlier this week, stated that UAE’s academic year will resume on August 30 as per the calendar approved by the Ministerial Development Council. Furthermore, the administrative and teaching staff will begin working on August 23.

WAM