HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari and HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi yesterday inaugurated the first Ihsan School in Umm Ghuwailina. A number of officials from Education Above All Foundation (EAA) were present at the inauguration. 
The Ihsan School was established in partnership between the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to address the problem of financial barriers and the age and educational gap faced by children of non-Arab communities in Qatar, as the school provides free education. 
The school aims to ensure a good learning environment by providing children with mandatory facilities. It includes 36 classrooms, accommodating 400 students, prepared to work two session a morning and evening session to accommodate 800 students.
HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education expressed happiness at participating in the inauguration. In a statement after the inauguration, he said that the school serves the community members from non-Arabic students who find it difficult financially and socially to enrol in schools. 
He said the school operates in co-ordination and co-operation between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and EAA to serve children and provide good opportunities for them to receive education.
HE al-Hammadi said the school operates on the special curriculum - Cambridge English - for students who are non-Arabic speakers, adding that a second school will soon be launched with an Arab curriculum. 
He said the school building has been renovated and rehabilitated in the old style, pointing out that the ministry has provided other buildings for community schools in Qatar.
Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Thani, director, the General Department of Endowments, said the school is one of the pioneering educational initiatives of the endowment bank for scientific and cultural development as well as a vivid embodiment of the community partnership with various sectors, noting that the school will provide basic education.
He said the cost of the school exceeded QR4mn, excluding maintenance, where the Ministry of Education and Higher Education will cover most of these expenses. “The school includes 354 students who were unable to afford to complete their education.” 
He said the school is of good quality in terms of teaching and is approved by more than one entity, giving student access to quality education. The school classrooms hold the best equipment. 
He said the teaching will be in English and Arabic, and will teach Shariah and the history of Qatar, pointing out that the school is considering the decisions adopted by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
EAA programmes director Mariam al-Mannai said EAA launched a programme designed for children to ensure that they have equal access to quality education. The programme was updated on January 1, 2017 as a programme that seeks to reach children who have not previously been enrolled in a school and contributes to mitigating factors that hinder access to educational opportunities.
Mohamed Khan Zadeh, managing director of the school, thanked all stakeholders for their interest in supporting education for children living in limited circumstances and possibilities.
He added that the number of registered students reached 350 and the registration process is still ongoing and will reopen mid-August before the next semester. “The curriculum model of the school is based on a comprehensive educational programme, which focuses on the development of basic learning skills of students.” (QNA)
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