Grant grace period for new SEC rule
Dear Sir,
This has reference to your report “Expatriate schools require a three-year grace period” (Gulf Times, January 21). Following instructions received from the Supreme Education Council (SEC) to reduce the class strength to 30, almost all expatriate schools have encountered serious problems not only in allowing new admissions but also in accommodating the currently-enrolled students.
Qatar is one of the fastest developing countries in the Middle East with a versatile political leadership, supported by rich natural resources. Qatar has been in the limelight in the region for quite some time because of its positive outlook on global political, economical and cultural issues and has been hosting major international conventions, seminars and symposiums. Qatar won further global attention with its successful bid for 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Qatar is witnessing a surge in the inflow of professionals and skilled workers who are required to prepare the state for the 2022 event and to work in its energy sector and Qatar Foundation’s education and research programmes. A major concern for expatriate families after their arrival in Qatar is their children’s education. If local schools don’t accept new admissions, this would pose serious problems for newcomers.
The commitment of the Supreme Education Council to quality education is commendable indeed and one has to agree that overcrowded classrooms are not conducive to achieve that. However, since expatriates’ educational institutions are not aided by the government and run by the income derived from school fees, the SEC guidelines curtailing new admissions will be a major financial blow to them.
School managements find it extremely difficult to admit new students as their expansion attempts face hindrances. First of all, there is a shortage of purpose-built buildings and secondly, if they could be found with great efforts, their exorbitant rents are ill affordable.
Because of this, I hope the Supreme Education Council shall positively respond to the schools’ appeal for a grace period of three years to meet its new guideline on class strength.
K K Nazimudeen
PO Box No 441
Doha
Indication of degeneration
Dear Sir,
Rape is an indication of degeneration of a society. Police alone cannot control such crimes. One has to take a holistic view of the conditions that lead to degeneration of a society. There should be a proficient legal system that is fair and fast, good policing, people’s own social control (the public must protect the weak) and proper education/awareness.
Merely holding protests without changing people’s conduct/behaviour will not produce any positive results in India. That’s where Mahatma Gandhi was different as he was able to change the thinking of the common man.
Romi Sebastian
(e-mail address supplied)
