Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Thursday, Jul 24, 2025

Flexible learning in UAE: A case for e-lessons post COVID-19 too

Flexible learning in UAE: A case for e-lessons post COVID-19 too

As schools prepare to reopen, a teacher talks of long-term benefits of distance learning

It may not be the only way to get the content across, but a section coordinator at an Abu Dhabi school said distance learning helped teachers tap into different facets of students’ personalities.

“For the education sector, the sudden dive into distance learning revealed an added dimension to the way we could train, interact and catch up. So even though it cannot fully replace in-class education — mainly because teachers and students have an irreplaceable emotional bond — distance learning is an add-on that can help us explore new elements,” Merlin Maria Shanthi, secondary section coordinator at Global Indian International School, told Gulf News.


Merlin Maria Shanthi


Option to choose


Distance learning — the education sector’s answer to flexible, remote working during the COVID-19 outbreak — was first mandated across UAE schools in March. Even now, however, parents are free to opt for distance learning for the upcoming term. But even beyond this, Shanthi believes this form of flexible work schedule will continue.

“I believe the convenience it offers makes certain things about school operations much easier. For example, it was easier to consult with parents and obtain feedback about a child’s progress, especially as the students didn’t have to bring themselves to school. Teacher trainings were easier via webinars and virtual conferences too,” she explained.

‘More inter-school competitions’


“In addition, the flexibility to train children after-school, while they were more relaxed in a home environment, meant that we ended up winning more inter-school competitions like spelling bees and debates. I don’t think we are willing to give up on these advantages,” said Shanthi, who also teaches Grade 8 English.

Fortunately, her 13-year-old son was also able to carry out his schoolwork on his own, and did not need assistance.

There was of course a downside, given that the workday did often get prolonged because of the perceived convenience of continuing with meetings even after regular work hours.

‘Enough time for household chores’


“It required a bit more organisation to ensure that we didn’t extent meeting times too much. I also had to schedule my day differently to ensure I found enough time for household chores,” Shanthi explained.

“But we did find that we were able to help children explore more of their potential too, which is why I believe that remote working and distance learning won’t be going away,” she added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
×