Coronavirus in UAE: Some schools suspend distribution of books

Dubai - A circular issued by regulators prohibits the exchange of all paper materials.

Some schools in the UAE have suspended distribution of books, Khaleej Times can reveal. This is following guidelines issued by education authorities to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

On Wednesday, parents of students studying at some schools received a notification that books wouldn't be distributed. The reason given was a "ministry directive" that prevents "paper transactions".

"Kindly stop all online payment for book purchase," the message said.

Khaleej Times studied a copy of a circular issued by the Ministry of Education and education regulators of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, which prohibits the "exchange of all paper materials". The directive will be in force until further notice.

"To ensure uninterrupted delivery of education through distance learning, all institutions are expected to incorporate alternative strategies using various distance and online learning methods, in addition to any electronic communication tools that are accessible to your teachers and students," the circular said.

More than a million students in public and private schools across the UAE went back to schools virtually on March 22. They are continuing their education through distance learning even as classes remain suspended as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus.