All UAE schools to close for four weeks from Sunday

Schools and universities across the UAE are set to close their doors to pupils for four weeks from Sunday, March 8.

The Ministry of Education announced the move as part of the government's efforts to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

It covers both public and private schools as well as higher education institutions.

In a Tweet, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that the four-week break covers all nurseries as well.

A programme for sanitising all educational institutions in the country will also be launched.

All schools & universities in the UAE will be closed for 4 weeks starting Sunday March 8. Facilities will be deep cleaned during this time. pic.twitter.com/Y6kkD74sZe

— وزارة التربية والتعليم (@MOEUAEofficial) March 3, 2020

Public schools will be running a distance learning initiative during the last two weeks of the closure, while the Spring Break, which was due to begin on March 29, will instead begin on March 8.

Public MoE schools will start distance learning initiatives in the last two weeks of the holidays. Private schools are encouraged to share their distance learning plans with parents & students. pic.twitter.com/Qk5uqHoazv

— وزارة التربية والتعليم (@MOEUAEofficial) March 3, 2020

The announcement came after the Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed six more cases of COVID-19 in the UAE.

This decision was made in the best interests of the health & safety of students and the wider education community at schools & universities. pic.twitter.com/DAnjId6Nb8

— وزارة التربية والتعليم (@MOEUAEofficial) March 3, 2020