HE Dr Mohamed Abdulwahid al-Hammadi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council, addresses a press conference yesterday.
The new academic year which begins next Sunday will see more emphasis on the quality of education, HE Dr Mohamed Abdulwahid al-Hammadi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council said.
"We will be more keen on the quality of results, whether it is about education leadership or teachers, in order to implement the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani," the Minister explained.
He stressed that more focus will be given to the results of students and their education as directed by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at the last consultative meeting on education.
Dr al-Hammadi said to achieve such a target Independent Schools have been restructured and the best qualified teachers hired to provide students with the best possible learning environment. The general outline of a national curriculum for Qatar has been accomplished as well to provide local schools with education resources of global standards.
Besides, a new evaluation system has been issued for both teachers and students, in addition to sophisticated services for career guidance, the integration of modern technology in education and the development of a modern system for the education of adults. This system includes various techniques and measures to ensure the quality of its products.
HE the Minister stressed the need to be strict regarding discipline issues and regular attendance of students. Similarly, teachers and all staff of Independent School should display a good professional conduct. Soon, there will be a system to evaluate the performance of staff at schools and another to evaluate principals of Independent Schools.
Additional support services for students with learning difficulties have been also enhanced through the creation of a specialised centre, "Rw'a" (Visions) and a special kindergarten. Also, a department has been created to take care of students with special needs and the gifted students as well.
HE the Minister said that improving education in the country is a collective responsibility, where teachers, parents, students and school administrators play key roles. He urged them to maintain constant and open communication among themselves to devise the best solutions for the process.
Dr al-Hammadi asked school managers and licence holders to be closer to all their staff and students and be product-oriented, managing their schools with good and friendly ethics.
Regarding adult education, the Minister asked the learners to take the issue seriously. This year there will be strict measures for attendance and more e-resources for their benefit.
Fawziah al-Khatir, director of SEC Education Institute, said that the first kindergarten for children with special needs will be opened this school year.
Aysha al-Hashemi, assistant director of SEC Education Institute for private schools affairs, pointed out that new private schools, including Indian, British and American that will open this year will provide 5,000 new seats.
A guidebook has been issued for the private schools to instruct them on the guidelines they should follow in accordance with the international standards in the field, such as school fees, admission and transfer from one school to another.
