UAE orders all schools and universities to switch to distance learning due to security concerns

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has announced that all nurseries, public and private schools, and higher education institutions nationwide will transition to distance learning from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, until Friday, May 8, 2026. This decision follows a series of attacks targeting the country, which the ministry attributes to Iran, and is being implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of the educational community. The situation will be reviewed on May 8, 2026, with a possibility of extension. Exemptions for distance learning may apply to specific academic programs requiring in-person activities like clinical training or laboratory work.