The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) celebrated the graduation of the 7th and 8th cohorts of its “Early Childhood Assistant Teacher” certificate programme, under the patronage and in the presence of HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed al-Hammadi.
The ceremony was attended by CCQ’s Board of Trustees, the college president Dr Mohamed al-Naemi, and the dean Dr Abdallah Hazaimeh, along with a number of faculty members, guests and dignitaries.
Dr al-Hammadi congratulated the graduates, praising the role of CCQ in introducing advanced academic programmes, in line with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s strategy aimed at qualifying national competencies in the field of education, providing a suitable learning environment, and developing advanced curricula that meet the requirements of the 21st century.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher programme as it addresses the child’s needs in many aspects, which contributes to enhancing the capacity of assistant teachers to communicate with children and perform their duties to the fullest.
Dr al-Naemi said: “Since inception, the Community College of Qatar has been keen to provide education and training opportunities across diverse fields and disciplines in line with the labour market needs, all while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. To this end, the college has forged close partnerships with national institutions, at the forefront of which comes the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, culminating in the development of the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher certificate programme in November 2014. Since then, the programme has achieved great success, with the total number of graduates reaching over 300 to date.”
Early Childhood Programme co-ordinator and instructor Dr Merfat Fayez said: “The physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of children has a direct effect on the kind of adults and community members they grow up to become. Hence, early experiences are considered the first steps in the learning journey of the individual and hold the key to subsequent school and professional success.”
During the event, the College also honoured 16 schools and kindergartens in recognition of their outstanding collaboration in the practical training part of the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher programme, and the resulting impact of this hands-on approach to teaching on achieving the objectives of the programme and raising the efficiency of assistant teachers across the country.
Additionally, CCQ recently started offering its students the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree programme.
The curriculum discusses theories related to principles of child development, and equips educators with the technological means and methods to stimulate children’s learning, manage classroom behaviour, and utilise healthy, safe and age-appropriate educational practices that support their growth and development.


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