The Minister of Education and Higher Education has developed urgent remedial plans to protect children affected by the unjust siege on Qatar, HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi has said.
Speaking at the 5th Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Childhood, organised in Rabat, Morocco, by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) under the theme “Towards a Safe Childhood”, the Minister said that Qatar had formed specialised committees to ensure that the right to education of children affected by the unjust siege is safeguarded and that the children are protected from the consequences of the blockade.
HE Dr al-Hammadi said that Qatar, in its National Vision 2030 and its strategies, has taken into account the measures which ensure the right of the family and the child, and issued legislation and laws guaranteeing the rights of children and protecting them, such as the family law and e-crimes law.
He pointed out that the vision of Qatar is derived from Islamic teachings, the Constitution of the country, the goals of sustainable development and international charters.
The Minister of Education and Higher Education said that Qatar has continued its commitment to citizens and residents alike by providing healthcare as well as quality education and all the necessary equipment and facilities.
The State has also met, through all its governmental and non-governmental bodies, the needs of children with special needs in the categories of gifted and disabled persons, and established institutions and centres specialised in the protection of the child rights.
In his speech, the Minister said that the efforts of Qatar to protect children and their rights are not limited to those who reside in it. Rather, many initiatives led by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser have been launched to assist refugee and immigrant children in many countries. One such initiative was “Educate a Child” initiative, which provided education for about 7mn children of the world, he said pointing to the joint efforts of governmental and non-governmental bodies in providing financial and in-kind assistance as well as education, especially for children in conflict, disaster and civil war areas.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education was also keen to promote and protect the child rights and to make it a priority in its development plans, HE Dr al-Hammadi said, pointing to issuing the policy guidelines of behavioural evaluation of students in schools, establishment of student councils, promotion of the concept of physical and psychological health and safety of children and the expansion of the governmental kindergartens project in terms of number and type, including the opening of kindergartens for children with disabilities.
In his speech, HE Dr al-Hammadi praised ISESCO’s establishment of a conference at the ministerial level for an important segment of the society, namely, children, as they are instrumental in the building and development of nations.
He expressed the hope that the conference will lay the foundation stone for the protection of children who are is subjected to violence, killing and numerous violations, stressing the need to guarantee a safe childhood that provides them with the life they deserve.
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