tag

Tailoring shops at Souq Al Ali are seeing a noticeable seasonal increase in demand, as many families bring their children to have school thobes tailored ahead of the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. Many parents are choosing to complete their preparations early to avoid the rush expected in the final days of the summer break.The new academic year is scheduled to start at the end of August, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has already completed several preparatory measures for the 2026-2027 school year. The ministry said the new academic year will see the opening of seven additional schools, bringing the total number of government schools and kindergartens to 236 and 67, respectively.**media[478567]**At Souq Al Ali, parents have been taking their wards to tailoring shops to have measurements taken and school thobes prepared, while also purchasing complementary items including ghutras, agals, traditional caps and footwear. Some shop owners noted that early preparation has become increasingly common among families seeking to avoid congestion and ensure that garments are delivered before classes begin.Some parents remarked that prices have remained relatively stable, although the final cost depends largely on the fabric, tailoring specifications and whether the garment is ready-made or individually tailored. Many families prefer lightweight, light-coloured fabrics that are better suited to Qatar's hot climate, with Japanese and Indonesian fabrics among the options that attract strong demand.Meanwhile, tailors at the souq pointed out that demand for school thobes often begins to rise about a month before the academic year and intensifies as classes approach. The trend is particularly pronounced in late August, when families returning from summer travel seek to complete school preparations within a short period.Tailor Mohamed Jamal said that tailoring remains the preferred option for a significant proportion of customers because it allows parents to select the fabric, measurements and design details according to their children's requirements. He said ready-made thobes generally cost about QR70-100, while tailored garments start at around QR110 and can reach QR140 depending on the fabric and specifications.Some fabrics command higher prices. Jamal said garments made from "Lexus" fabric typically cost around QR100-110, while "Shakibo" is among the more expensive choices, with prices starting at approximately QR150. Delivery generally takes between one and three days, although orders can take up to four days during peak periods.In the meantime, many families also choose to purchase or tailor two thobes for each child, allowing them to alternate between garments during the school week. Parents said the practice helps reduce wear and tear and provides greater flexibility because school clothing needs frequent washing, particularly during the hotter months.Mohamed Abdullah, who operates a tailoring shop in Souq Al Ali, said most customers prefer garments made according to individual measurements rather than standard ready-made sizes. Japanese fabrics, Shikibo and Lexus, were among the varieties he identified as particularly popular for their lightweight, colour and suitability for hot weather. He added that some shops have extended their working hours until after midnight during the peak season to accommodate the increased number of orders and meet promised delivery dates. The market also attracts customers from other Gulf countries who visit Qatar and take advantage of local tailoring services before returning home.Mubarak al-Mansouri, a customer, said he has been returning to the same tailoring shop for several years to have his children's school thobes made. Measurements, fabric weight and quality are among the main factors determining the final price, while details such as pleats, collars and sleeves are agreed upon before production.Jaber Mohamed, another customer, said he chose a new tailor this year for himself and his children and considers it essential to take new measurements at the beginning of each school term because children's height and body size change rapidly. He also pays attention to practical details such as pocket design, collars and buttons, which can affect comfort and ease of movement during the school day.The current Ministry of Education and Higher Education statistics list more than 137,000 students in government education and more than 228,000 in private education. The ministry also lists 278 government and 351 private schools and nurseries. 

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has confirmed its full preparedness to launch the end-of-semester exams for the 2025-2026 academic year. The announcement came during an extensive co-ordination meeting held by the Student Assessment Department with principals of public and private secondary schools implementing national standards.The meeting aimed to unify procedures and ensure all schools are fully equipped for the upcoming exams. Director of the Student Assessment Department Ibrahim Abdullah al-Mohannadi delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining final preparations, the approved exam schedule, and key organizational guidelines to ensure smooth exam administration.He emphasized the importance of adhering to official instructions and preparing exam halls in advance to provide a calm and disciplined environment that guarantees equal opportunities for all students. The meeting also addressed procedures for handling elective subjects this year, including grading protocols, updated mechanisms for recording results, and the importance of adhering to the set timeline for grade approvals.Additionally, the session reviewed essential regulations for exam committees, stressing the need for professional conduct by invigilators and responsible interaction with students. A strict ban on electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, and earphones, was reiterated to uphold exam integrity and maintain a stable assessment environment.The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion, during which school leaders raised questions and shared feedback on implementing the guidelines. The Student Assessment Department provided clarifications to ensure all schools are fully prepared to conduct exams in line with the highest educational standards. 

Qatar University (QU) celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of students from the Honours Programme for the 2024-2025 academic year.The ceremony honoured 63 male and female graduates from various colleges of the university and was attended by faculty members, programme administrators, the members of the Honours Council, and students' families.The Honours Programme is one of QU's distinguished initiatives designed to support talented and high-achieving students. It provides a stimulating and unique experiential learning environment that emphasises research, innovation, and leadership development, contributing to the preparation of national talents capable of advancing the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.In her speech, Dean of General Studies at QU Dr Saba Qadhi stated that this day represents "a harvest of years of dedication and perseverance.”She added, "This event is not merely a certificate-awarding ceremony, but a celebration of all the achievements our students have accomplished.”Dr Qadhi added, "Today, we celebrate an outstanding generation of QU students who represent the future of our nation and the cornerstone of its development.” She also announced the establishment of the Honours Programme Alumni Association, scheduled to launch in Spring 2026. The association will serve as a platform connecting programme graduates with new students, strengthening community engagement and fostering a sense of belonging among programme members.In his address, Director of the Honours Programme at QU Dr Yousri Marzouki expressed his pride in graduating this cohort under the programme's enhanced framework. He emphasised that this day marks the culmination of the combined efforts of students, faculty, and administrative staff in reinforcing standards of academic excellence and innovation.Dr Marzouki also announced a pioneering initiative being launched for the first time at QU: the introduction of the Digital Badge. Graduates of this year's class will be the first to receive this electronically certified academic distinction, which enables them to document and showcase their achievements across various digital platforms.He explained that the Digital Badge represents a strategic step toward strengthening ongoing engagement between QU and programme graduates, empowering them to leverage their academic experiences in future professional environments. He affirmed that this initiative aligns with QU's commitment to honouring academic excellence and expanding opportunities for innovation, lifelong learning, and development in education.The ceremony concluded with the recognition of graduates, who received certificates of appreciation in a celebratory atmosphere reflecting the university's pride in its outstanding students.

As the new academic year begins, Qatar Charity has announced the launch of the "Education 2025" initiative, aimed at expanding access to education for underprivileged children, particularly in communities affected by conflicts and natural disasters.The initiative underscores education as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals, with the ultimate vision of building a brighter future for generations across the globe.Recent figures from the United Nations' Education Cannot Wait for fund reveal a sharp increase in the number of school-age children impacted by crises and in urgent need of quality education. By the end of 2024, the number reached 234mn children, of whom 37% remain completely out of school.Through Education 2025, Qatar Charity seeks to combat school dropouts, facilitate children's enrollment, and provide them with quality learning opportunities. The initiative focuses on constructing and rehabilitating schools, training teachers, and supplying students with essential educational and nutritional support, including school bags and food packages.

As the new 2025/2026 academic year approaches, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the completion of all school zone safety measures around 669 schools across Qatar and development of 53 existing schools, including upgrading fire protection systems. Such plans, Ashghal said in a statement, aim at protecting students and ensuring the safety of road users during school drop-off and pick-up times, along with ensuring the highest standards of safety and security towards enhancing the efficiency of educational facilities.This is done in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Ashghal also plans to improve 140 schools within a comprehensive plan that includes developing fire protection systems, enhancing educational, recreational, and sports facilities to help provide a safe educational environment that supports the learning process. The plan also covers the reconstruction of seven existing schools to meet the latest global standards and specifications in design and equipment. Project Engineer Dana Saeed Al-Saiari from the Building Projects Department explained that the Ashghal, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, has carried out a wide range of development and improvement works in 53 existing schools. These included upgrading fire protection systems in line with the highest international standards, as well as introducing advanced technical and operational enhancements that improve the efficiency of the buildings and the overall quality of the learning environment. On the other side, Eng. Abdullah Al Maraghi, Road Safety Engineer, said that the school zone safety strategies cover the road networks surrounding 673 schools in various areas, as part of the School Zone Safety Programme, since the start of the programme in 2013 until now, which is being implemented in coordination with all relevant authorities. In this context, Ashghal has also undertaken comprehensive preparations over the past months to enhance road infrastructure and implement safety measures to facilitate traffic flow. These technical and essential improvements represent an important step towards providing a safe and sustainable school environment for all community members in the new academic year. The improvements include the installation or upgrading of clear and prominent traffic signs, as well as the inspection, maintenance and installation of speed bumps and pedestrian crossings to alert drivers to slow down at school entrances and exits. These enhanced measures aim to improve pedestrian visibility in areas surrounding schools, while enforcing the minimum speed limit of 30 km/h. In addition, further road safety measures have been adopted to regulate traffic flow during peak times at school entrances during drop-off and pick-up hours. Moreover, road markings, such as pedestrian crossings and stop lines, are being repainted to ensure maximum clarity for road users. In addition to expanding and repaving sidewalks adjacent to schools to provide safer pedestrian pathways capable of accommodating larger numbers.