• More than 94% of the educational and administrative staff in all public and private schools as well as kindergartens in Qatar have been vaccinated
HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi has congratulated the students, parents, school principals, administrative and teaching staff and the educational process partners on the occasion of the start of the new 2021-2022 academic year on schedule despite the repercussions of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a press statement on the occasion, HE the minister said that the blended learning has become the best option available to ensure the continuity of the educational process without interruption and to ensure the quality of education while maintaining the health and safety of students.
In this context, he noted that more than 94% of the educational and administrative staff in all public and private schools, as well as kindergartens, in Qatar have been vaccinated, creating a safe and healthy school environment that enhances the academic achievement of students.
HE the minister called on students to persevere and be diligent to achieve their aspirations and to benefit from the academic opportunities and options available in the field of higher and public education.
He also called on parents to co-operate and communicate with their children’s schools and to follow up and prioritise the learning process of their children, noting that the blended learning has transferred the educational process outside the school walls, giving parents a greater role in the education of their children, reinforcing their partnership in the educational process.
In this context, HE the minister praised the fruitful co-operation and constructive efforts exerted by all parties to the educational process, which led to the success of the last school year, making it imperative to build on best practices and experiences in the field of blended learning.
He also called for adherence to the procedures and precautionary measures approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) in co-operation and co-ordination with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in order to ensure the safety of all.
On the preparations for the new academic year, HE Dr al-Hammadi said that the ministry provided all input to the educational process so that the new academic year would be effective and keep pace with the requirements of the era, including the provision of well-qualified teachers, effective and inspiring school administrative, modern school systems and curriculum.
In addition, the ministry worked towards the promotion of enlightened partnership with parents and strengthening of the favourable digital infrastructure and supportive school environment, providing logistical support to the blended learning system under the best policies and scientific strategies.
HE the minister praised the leading role of teachers in building a promising future for the students, and lauded their extraordinary efforts in the time of pandemic, and welcomed the new teachers.
He stressed that the development of the students, their progress and high academic achievement represent the primary goal of the educational process, and the first and most important indicator on the quality of school performance as a whole.
HE the minister said that the percentage of students who received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the age groups from age 12-15 is 48.71%, and for students in the age groups from 16-18 is 63.17%, while the percentage of the total number of vaccinated employees in public and private schools is 93.3%, according to data received from the Primary Health Care Corporation as of August 16.
On the recruitment of new teachers, he noted that approximately 530 teachers were recruited: 416 local contracts and 114 external contracts.
On the readiness of the schools, HE Dr al-Hammadi said two kindergartens and an elementary school designated for Al-Hedaya schools for people with special needs were prepared.
In addition, 20 additional buildings attached to schools within the project of the Public Works Authority have been received.
Nearly 2,150 school buses were provided.
The number of private schools and kindergartens in the country has reached 328 schools and kindergartens, with 203,939 male and female students, representing more than 85 nationalities.
One-third of Qatari students study in private schools.
These schools offer various international curricula and a variety of study materials and many school activities that respond to the aspirations of students and their families.
A total of 16 new private schools and kindergarten are expected to open this year.
The number of schools within the educational vouchers programme reached 111 private schools and kindergartens.
The MoEHE licensed 10 new educational and training centres, bringing the total number of educational and training centres to 148.
HE Dr al-Hammadi: called on parents to prioritise the learning process of their children, noting that the blended learning has given parents a greater role in the education of their children.
