To support school communities and the continuity of learning, Teach Away has compiled this strategic resource guide.
As of March 5, 2026, the following guidance is issued primarily from
- The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
- The U.S. Department of State
- The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- The Government of Canada’s Global Affairs Department
Essential Institutional Actions
Coordinate With National Embassies to Ensure Educators Abroad Receive Proper Emergency Notifications
Focus: Personnel safety and consular coordination.
Centralize Staff Data
Ensure your HR department has a centralized registry of staff nationalities and current emergency contact details.
Set Up Nationals to Receive Direct Updates from their Home Countries
Ensure your employees are registered with their respective home country’s emergency notification system. Share this with your teachers.
- U.S. Citizens: Enroll in STEP Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
Enroll here: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step
- UK Citizens: Register your presence via the FCDO portal as advised by COBIS UK’s FCDO issued travel advice for British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Nationals must register their presence to receive direct updates from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Register in Bahrain | Israel | Kuwait | Palestine | Qatar | UAE
- Canadian Citizens: Register through LRO (Registration of Canadians Abroad) The Registration of Canadians Abroad service enables government officials to contact Canadians to provide important information in preparation for urgent situations.
Register here: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
Maintain Operational Continuity and Educational Standards While Prioritizing Physical Safety
Focus: Transitioning to flexible learning models while maintaining accreditation.
Activate Remote Learning Contingencies
Following the March 2nd, 2026 mandate in the UAE and surrounding regions, schools should transition to distance learning to minimize physical risks to staff.
Entity-Specific Coordination
- For U.S. Assisted Schools (Office of Overseas Schools): Contact your Regional Education Officer (REO) at OverseasSchools@state.gov for specific guidance on “Authorized Departure” and its impact on teacher contracts.
- For British International Schools (COBIS): Heads of Schools should consult the COBIS March 2nd Statement to align “Duty of Care” protocols with UK government advice. This ensures compliance with British Schools Overseas (BSO) standards during physical closures.
- For Exam Candidates (IB, Cambridge, Pearson): Coordinators should immediately notify boards of potential disruptions. These entities provide “Special Consideration” pathways and protocols for securing student coursework digitally.
Support Teacher Wellbeing and Student Engagement
Focus: Psychosocial support and trauma-informed pedagogy.
Leverage UNICEF & ISCA Guidance
The International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and UNICEF provide frameworks for:
- Helping students process complex global events in age-appropriate ways.
- Encouraging healthy media consumption to limit exposure to distressing content.
- Maintaining the “Virtual Classroom” as a safe, neutral, and supportive environment.
Key UNICEF Resources
- UNICEF guidance on supporting children affected by global crises
- War and Disaster Resources
- Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after Mass Violence
- UNICEF statement on the impact of the military escalation on children in the Middle East
Summary of Essential Resources for Schools
Regional Authority Directory
Local ministries of education remain the most reliable sources for official updates related to school operations, safety guidance, and exam scheduling.
| Country | Official Educational Authority | Primary Resource Link |
| Saudi Arabia | Ministry of Education (MoE) | moe.gov.sa |
| UAE | Ministry of Education | moe.gov.ae |
| Qatar | Ministry of Education & Higher Education | edu.gov.qa |
| Lebanon | Ministry of Education & Higher Education | mehe.gov.lb |
| Kuwait | Ministry of Education | moe.edu.kw |
| Bahrain | Ministry of Education | moe.gov.bh |
Professional Networks & Global Frameworks
- NESA: Connects international schools across the region for leadership collaboration.
- CIS: Offers guidance on governance, safeguarding, and leadership.
- UNICEF MENA: Provides specific resources for supporting student well-being and maintaining safe learning environments during global crises.
- UNESCO Strategic Framework: Guidance for educators on maintaining learning continuity and stability.
- INEE: Internationally recognized standards for education systems during challenging circumstances.
We recognize the extraordinary efforts being made by schools across the Middle East to provide continuity and care, and Teach Away is proud to stand with you as a partner in that mission.