Survey shows 57% parents prefer traditional learning over online methods

71% of parents were confident with the safety measures for in-person classes 

Dubai, Oct 13, 2021: Majority of parents are of the opinion that their children learn better at school as compared to distance learning, while a minority indicated a preference for continuing their children’s education through distance learning once the pandemic is over. The finding from the 2021 parental survey was revealed through a KHDA report. 

57% parents said their children learn better at school as compared to distance learning, while 26% prefer distance learning for their kids. 17% of parents however don’t find any difference between the two. 

About 61% of parents were not sure if they wanted the child to continue remote learning once the pandemic is over, almost 21% showed their preference for distance learning.

At the same time, almost half the parents surveyed indicated that they were interested in exploring an alternative to traditional schooling for their child.

Most parents stated that they were confident with the safety measures put in place since their children’s school reopened. According to data released in the report, 71% of parents were confident with the safety measures for in-person classes. In addition, nine out of ten parents were satisfied with the handling of the pandemic by schools, KHDA and government entities. 

The report also provides data from the annual Dubai Student Wellbeing Census which shows 70% of students from grades 6 to 12 felt more positive about their emotional engagement with their teachers during the pandemic as compared to the year before. 

The report mentions that communication with parents, strategies to support staff, wellbeing initiatives and programmes, support provided for students of determination, introduction of digital learning platforms and tools and Implementation of different modes of learning were the major strategies that worked well for schools, while supporting students’ emotional needs, improving staff morale and energy, supporting students who opted for 100% distance learning, maintaining social distancing and safe practices on site were the challenges. 

Numerous KHDA initiatives and positive parenting workshops to support parents, teachers and students during the distance learning period helped the learning process during the pandemic. 

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