In a move to protect family well-being and clarify the boundaries of home-based education, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched a comprehensive new manual: The Parent Guide to Supporting Your Child During Distance Learning.
The core message of the guide is a massive relief for parents: You are not expected to be the teacher. The Responsibility Split: Who Does What?
The KHDA is drawing a firm line in the sand to prevent parental burnout.
- The school’s job: Teaching, planning lessons, delivering content, monitoring progress, and providing academic support.
- The parents’ job: Providing a calm environment, maintaining consistent routines, and keeping the lines of communication open with the school.
Five priorities for success
The guide outlines five key pillars to help caregivers manage learning without feeling overwhelmed. While the full document is on the KHDA website, the strategy focuses on progress over perfection.
Tailored advice by age group
The KHDA recognises that a five-year-old and a 15-year-old have vastly different needs:
Early years and primary students: Younger children require hands-on support. The KHDA recommends focusing on short, simple activities rather than long blocks of screen time. Consistent routines and frequent, reassuring breaks are essential to prevent overstimulation.
Secondary and senior students: While older students are more independent, they are susceptible to “engagement fatigue.” They still require a clear daily structure and regular check-ins from parents to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or losing focus on advanced coursework.
Students of determination: The guide provides targeted advice for students with additional learning needs, focusing on managing anxiety and behavioural barriers. It emphasises the need for a direct, transparent link between parents and the school’s inclusion team to ensure IEP (Individual Education Plan) goals are met at home.
The wellness check
A significant portion of the 2026 guide is dedicated to mental health. It provides practical steps to identify if a child is struggling with “engagement fatigue” or family pressures, offering a roadmap for parents to seek help from the school early, before the student falls behind.
How parents can access the guide
Dubai parents are encouraged to download the digital handbook directly from the KHDA website (https://web.khda.gov.ae). It serves as a living document that will be updated as distance learning technologies continue to evolve through 2026.
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