The Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) in Abu Dhabi has outlined six tasks that private schools within the emirate are prohibited from assigning to parents during remote learning. These restrictions aim to clarify the boundaries of responsibility between schools and families during periods of online instruction.
Restrictions on Parental Involvement
According to the new remote learning policy, schools cannot require parents to teach, explain, or re-present academic content that falls under the school’s responsibility. Parents are also not to be obligated to supervise their children’s screens during lessons – with the exception of safety requirements for kindergarten students. Communication with parents regarding routine academic matters is limited to the hours of 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM GST.
schools may not ask parents to monitor their children’s attendance before implementing their own absence protocols. Multiple messages sent via various platforms are also prohibited; schools must use a single, consistent channel for each family. Assigning parents tasks to supervise homework for students in Cycle One or higher is also forbidden, with any assignment requiring significant parental participation considered a design flaw and requiring revision.
Parental Responsibilities
The ADEK policy also details what is expected of parents during remote learning. These responsibilities include ensuring the student’s attendance, preparedness and presence in a relatively quiet and suitable learning environment at the start of the school day. Parents are expected to respond to school feedback and concerns regarding the student’s well-being within 24 hours, and to provide appropriate supervision based on the student’s age.
Supporting the student and the home learning environment, and fulfilling parental responsibilities as outlined in the remote learning parent code of conduct, are also key expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can schools ask parents to do during remote learning?
Schools can expect parents to ensure their child attends class prepared and in a suitable environment, respond to school concerns within 24 hours, and provide age-appropriate supervision.
What are schools prohibited from asking parents to do?
Schools cannot ask parents to teach content, supervise screens during lessons (except for kindergarten safety), communicate outside of specified hours, monitor attendance before the school does, send multiple messages, or supervise homework for older students.
What should happen if a homework assignment requires significant parental involvement?
Any homework assignment requiring significant parental involvement is considered a design flaw and should be redesigned.
How might these new guidelines impact the remote learning experience for students and families in Abu Dhabi?
