Dubai initiative launches The Digital School to reach one million students

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) launched The Digital School in Dubai on November 11, 2020. The initiative, announced by UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to provide online schooling to one million disadvantaged students within five years.

The Government of Dubai Media Office outlined a pilot phase running from November 2020 to August 2021 and covering 20,000 students in four countries. Formal enrollment was planned from September 2021 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Teaching combines live and self-paced virtual classes in mathematics, science, Arabic, computer studies and English. These are supported by interactive simulations, game-based learning, AI-driven adaptive learning modules and an AI-powered assessment system intended to support self-learning.

The school is aimed mainly at refugees and underserved communities, in the Arab region and elsewhere. Implementation is overseen by a body called the Alliance for the Future of Digital Learning, and the advisory board includes specialists from universities including Harvard, Stanford and MIT. The announcement said the school would seek accreditation from bodies such as Cognia, with the aim of issuing certificates that are recognized internationally. The launch was presented as the first comprehensive digital school set up in the Arab region.