Egypt Expands E-Learning to Cope with Pandemic

High school students wearing protective masks wait in line during the first day of final exams, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2020. (Reuters)
High school students wearing protective masks wait in line during the first day of final exams, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2020. (Reuters)
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Egypt Expands E-Learning to Cope with Pandemic

High school students wearing protective masks wait in line during the first day of final exams, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2020. (Reuters)
High school students wearing protective masks wait in line during the first day of final exams, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2020. (Reuters)

Egyptian authorities have sought to expand e-learning platforms and mechanisms as it entered the second day of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The government, meanwhile, commended the “unrivaled” awareness shown by worshippers at mosques following the decision to reopen them.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi urged during a meeting with Education Minister Tarek Shawki the “expansion” of the use of e-learning platforms and apps. He also called for assessing the e-learning experience that was necessitated during the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

Shawki said that 1.5 million students are sitting for this year’s official high school exams, which are being supervised by 500,000 academic staff members. Preventive measures have been taken by the government to ensure that the tests are held in safe health conditions.

Egypt was among the few countries that managed to complete the academic year despite the pandemic, he added.

Meanwhile, the Awqaf Ministry hailed as “unprecedented” the level of awareness and responsibility displayed by worshippers as mosques reopened for the first time since virus restrictions were eased.

They are totally aware of the sensitivity of this stage and have committed to the preventive measures set by the Ministry, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding handshakes and leaving the mosque immediately after completing prayers.



Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
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Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)

Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has pledged to press on with the war until the entire country is “liberated,” and vowed to eradicate what he called “the militia, their agents, and collaborators.”

He accused “colonial powers” of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with money, weapons, and mercenaries.

Speaking in Mauritania on Tuesday, Burhan said the fighting would not cease until “every inch desecrated by these criminals” is reclaimed.

He vowed to continue military operations until “all cities, villages, and rural areas in our beloved Sudan are freed,” according to a statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office.

Burhan said his country’s ties with domestic and foreign parties depend on their stance toward the ongoing war.

Burhan is on a tour of African nations, including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Mauritania. Observers say the trip aims to restore Sudan’s African Union membership, suspended after the October 2021 coup, and rally support against the RSF.

Speaking in Mauritania, Burhan vowed to defeat the RSF, accusing them of crimes under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, generally referred to as Hemedti, and called for unity to end his influence.

“Our message is on the battlefield, not through words, until these criminals are eliminated,” he said.

Burhan insisted peace is only possible if the RSF and their allies are removed. “We support peace, but only if these Janjaweed and their mercenaries no longer exist,” he stated.

He described the conflict as a “battle for dignity,” saying it is a fight to protect the honor and homes of Sudanese citizens.