Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education, Hamad bin Mohammed al-Asheikh, said students might still be required to attend online classes for a few days per week, even after the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “Even if students return to school, there will still be some health requirements. A teacher might have to teach a class from a distance one day a week, so that cases don’t rise (again).”

al-Asheikh added that distance learning would also make attending school easier for students who would normally have to travel to school, as it would allow them to join classes remotely.

Physical attendance at all schools, universities, and educational institutions, was suspended in Saudi Arabia, in early March. Classes were moved online as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The current academic year began late last month in the Kingdom, with students and teachers signing up online. Arab News reports that in addition to online classes, Saudi Arabia also made a 24-hour hotline service available. An artificial intelligence chatbot was also set up for students, parents, and teachers, in order to facilitate learning. Further, several television were dedicated to learners who were unable to use the internet for learning.

Umm Muhammed Umar