JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia will resume the new school year via distance learning programs for seven weeks in all public schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh announced on Saturday. "Distance education will begin on Aug. 30. We decided to start this year with distance learning for seven weeks after that we will determine if there is a need for an extension of any stage." Al-Sheikh explained that studying for universities and technical training schools would be done remotely for theoretical courses, and in attendance for practical classes. The Minister of Education added that male and female teachers" attendance would be set remotely in the virtual classroom. The ministry also announced that "Madrasati (My school)" platform for distance education will be launched along with "Ain" TV channel. Saudi Arabia suspended all schools, universities and educational institutions in the Kingdom since March 9 as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak and instituted distance learning via online tools as an alternative.