TNG school marks its third anniversary

By Zia Khan/Staff Reporter

The Next Generation (TNG) School, a Pakistani educational institution in Doha, celebrated its third anniversary at a ceremony last week, showcasing the talent of its students and with an announcement of upgradation to grade seven.

TNG is one of three private schools run by Pakistani community members in the city. Located in the heart of the town, the school has Qatari as well as expatriate students from communities including Indians and Filipinos in addition to Pakistani children.

The show featured elements from various cultures including Arab, Pakistani and Indian. The students, most of them aged between four and 12, put on colourful costumes and presented various items including dances to the tunes of different rhymes.

The highlight of the evening was the display of a traditional Arab dance in line with the preparations for the Qatar National Day celebration on December 18.

A large number of parents from the community gathered at the campus to encourage their children perform better. Mums and dads kept on clapping and cheering as young girls and boys performed on the stage inside the school compound.

School founder Riyaz Bakali, who hails from Pakistan’s largest city Karachi, said that it was the blend of Islamic and modern education that made the school stand out among all the institutions in Doha.

“Our special focus on religion is what people like us for,” said Bakali, who expressed satisfaction with three years’ performance of his school.

The TNG, he added, was using the curriculum for Islamic education especially designed in South Africa. There were qualified teachers to teach the Holy Qur’an.

Pakistan’s Ambassador in Doha, Mohamed Sarfraz Khanzada, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, praised the performance of children and school administration for putting up a “fabulous” show.

“It reminds me of my childhood,” he said in a brief speech at the end of the ceremony.

The TNG presented awards to prominent Pakistanis who had been serving the community in Qatar over the years.

The administration also announced that the school will be upgraded to grade seven.