MOEHE Decides to Adopt Blended Education System for Academic Year 2021/2022

Ministry of Education and Higher Education

 

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), based on the updated indicators published the by Ministry of Public Health on the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with the precautionary measures set by the state to preserve the safety and health of citizens and residents and to contain the spread of the coronavirus, has decided to adopt the blended education system with and the rotation attendance in the school premises for students of government schools for the new academic year 2021/2022 starting from Aug. 29, and for private schools and kindergartens according to their academic calendars.

It was decided to observe an average attendance rate of 50% in all government schools and private schools and kindergartens, while continuously monitoring and assessing the educational process in direct coordination with the Ministry of Public Health.

In a special speech addressed by HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi to the school personnel on the occasion of the start of the new academic year, HE the

Minister stated: "Brothers and sisters, I am very pleased to congratulate you on the advent of a new academic to build a promising future for our students. We highly appreciate your exceptional efforts, especially during the pandemic period as we have a growing trust in you and your role in building and educating the human element, an essential pillar of building the nation. The achievements of our sons and daughters the students in all events are the fruit of your efforts and performance. I also would like to welcome our new teachers and I express my support to them for choosing this great profession, that of building generations for the future.

Ensuring the progress of students and increasing their academic achievements is the primary goal of the educational process, as it represents the first and most important indicator of the school performance as a whole.

Let us join hands together to accomplish this great mission in providing the best educational opportunities for our students."

It was also decided, in line with the precautionary measures announced by the state, to make it mandatory for students from Grades 1 to 12 to wearing masks throughout their presence in the school premises. The precautionary measures inside the educational buildings will remain in force, as it is mandatory for all government and private schools to ensure the following:

-Dividing students into groups providing that each group includes a maximum number of 15 students, while maintaining a social distance of 1.5 meters between each student.

-Commitment to wearing a mask across all school stages, starting with Grade 1 of primary stage.

-Maintaining the 50% capacity of the school buses when transporting students.

-Continuously observe the bubble system inside the classrooms and organizing the entry and exit of students to prevent overcrowding.

-Students who suffer from diseases that prevent them from receiving education at school are excluded from physical attendance, as determined by the Ministry of Public Health, provided that they continue to attend their classes remotely. Students exempted from physical attendance must submit a recent supporting medical certificate approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

-It is forbidden to go out on recreation. Students must eat their meals inside the classroom.

-Cancellation of the morning queue and group activities, including trips, camps and celebrations. The events can be organized remotely.

-Students are to take all exams inside the school premises.

Specialized and technical schools, and schools for students with special needs and village-based schools shall adhere to the same attendance rates above-mentioned. As for schools that have a small number of students, the attendance shall be 100%, provided that the number of students in one class does not exceed 15 students while maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters between them.

The Ministry stresses that the health and safety of students, teaching staff, administration and all school workers is among its most important priorities. While 94% of the educational and administrative personnel in all government and private schools and kindergartens in Qatar have received their vaccinations, the Ministry stresses the need that all administrators and teachers apply the precautionary measures and cooperate fully with the concerned authorities in the event of discovering or suspecting any cases of contracting COVID-19. They are urged to firmly and swiftly deal with any violation of the precautionary measures in schools. The Ministry reiterates that any violation to these measures will result in taking legal actions against the transgressor(s).

The Ministry also confirmed that the administrative and teaching staff in government and specialized schools, schools for students with special needs, and private schools and kindergartens are obligated to conduct the rapid antigen COVID-19 tests approved by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis for those who did not receive or complete the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and those who have recovered from the disease are exempted from conducting this examination. (QNA)