RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has decided to continue with distance education for the remainder of the first semester of the current academic year. Making an official announcement, Saudi Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh said: "A royal decree has been issued in this regard and it will be applicable to schools, universities and technical training institutions. The move is out of the keenness of the leadership in the safety of students from coronavirus," he said while adding that the decision was taken after assessing the situation over the past weeks. Saudi Arabia resumed the new school year through distance learning programs for seven weeks in all public schools from Aug. 30. The minister had said earlier that the government would take a decision later on whether there is a need for an extension after this period. Al-Sheikh had also explained that studies for universities and technical training schools would be carried out remotely for theoretical courses, and in attendance for practical classes. The minister had said that male and female teachers' attendance would be set remotely in the virtual classroom. The ministry had already launched ‘Madrasati' (My school) platform along with Ain TV channel for distance education. Saudi Arabia suspended all schools, universities, and educational institutions in the Kingdom since March 9 as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak and instituted distance learning via online tools as an alternative.
