UAE Extends Distance Learning Until April 17 Due to Conflict in the Middle East

DUBAI - Remote learning across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will continue at least until April 17 and will be reviewed weekly thereafter, weighing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East triggered by the United States and Israel's attacks on Iran late last February.

The UAE Ministry of Education confirmed the decision in a statement.

"This decision applies to "students, as well as administrative staff, in all kindergartens, preschools, and public and private schools throughout the country to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone," the ministry said, as reported by The National (31/3).

"The situation will be reviewed every week," the ministry continued.

The government previously required all schools and universities to switch to distance learning in early March due to Iranian missile and drone attacks. Schools and universities were then asked to start the spring break one week earlier than planned on March 9.

Schools and universities in the United Arab Emirates have been operating remotely since then.

Since the beginning of the Iranian attack, the UAE air defense system has intercepted 425 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,941 drones.

The attack resulted in the deaths of two military personnel and a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as eight casualties from citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India.

In addition, at least 178 other people were injured as a result of the attack.

It is known that the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including the late Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering tensions in the Middle East.

In response, the State of the Mullahs retaliated with drone strikes and missiles targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage and disrupting global markets and flights, including tight control of the vital Strait of Hormuz through which 20 percent of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass.