More than half of UAE parents prefer e-learning for kids: Survey

Abu Dhabi - Online survey conducted by the Ministry of Education shows 59 per cent of the parents prefer to continue distance learning

More than half of parents of school students in the UAE prefer their children to continue with e-learning when schools reopen in the forthcoming academic year, according to an online survey conducted by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
A total of 28,171 people participated in the opinion poll on the MoE's Twitter account.
The one-day poll showed 59 per cent of the parents preferred to continue distance learning while 41 backed classroom lessons.
The survey was within the framework of the ministry's keenness to involve families in choosing the most appropriate learning system for their children during the next term that starts in September.
Earlier this week, the MoE said parents are allowed to choose their children's mode of attendance, face-to-face at the school or through distance learning, for the first term.
The ministry said classes will resume on August 30, following precautionary measures and mechanisms taken to achieve the highest standards of health and safety in the school environment.
"According to the latest developments and based on the current health conditions, careful plans have been made to ensure a gradual return to study in all the schools without exception," said the MoE.
 
Parents give reasons for their choice
Some of the parents who participated in the survey cited reasons for choosing the learning system they thought best suited their children in the new school year.
Saeed Al Badiwi said in a tweet that he preferred the e-learning system. "There is no need to risk our children in the first and second terms for as long as alternative solutions to learning exist and the required educational goals are fully achieved. Despite some challenges with e-learning, students' interaction with each other at school campus cannot be controlled, especially those in lower classes," said Al Badiwi.
Another parent tweeted: "In-class learning is the most appropriate for the success of the educational process and the most effective in the child's development and knowledge acquisition.
"My only wish is that the educational environment in schools is safe and more secure for students and teaching staff if in-class lessons are applied. There is need to adhere to Covid-19 precautionary measures at the school campus."
She added that remote learning is stressful and tiresome for both the mother and the teacher, and that the information is not properly communicated to the child.
Saud Al Shehhi said in a tweet: "I hope that much focus is put on the kindergarten and foundation category because these pupils need foundation, unlike the rest of the students."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com