Ministry of Education (MOE) and all concerned departments are preparing for the gradual return of students to school in early March next year through the adoption of a “blended education system”, which combines online and traditional learning methods, informed sources revealed that the decision is still subjected to the approval of the Ministry of Health, and the arrival of COVID-19 vaccine in the country, Al-Qabas reported.
According to the sources, an upcoming meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health will decide on impending issues, most notably the paper-based exams for the secondary stage and the possibility of students returning to schools at the beginning of the second semester.
MOE stated that the meeting held early this week and was chaired by acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Faisal Al-Maqsid, was concerned only about discussing the preparation for the return of the students to schools in the event that the Cabinet decided so, after the availability of the Coronavirus vaccine, and that the issue of paper-based exams was not addressed.
Al-Maqsid said during the meeting that the students’ return to school may be at the beginning of the second semester or before that.
Al-Maqsid sanctioned the formation of a small committee under his chairmanship to lay down the complete vision and present it at the meeting scheduled to be held at the beginning of next week so that the committee’s proposal is studied and the gradual plan for returning to schools is discussed.