Minister of Education Congratulates Students and Parents on Start of New Academic Year

School Students

QNA

HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi congratulated the students, parents, school principals, administrative and teaching staff and the educational process partners on the occasion of the start of the new the academic year 2021-2022 on schedule despite the repercussions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a press statement on the occasion, HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education 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 the Minister noted that more than 94% of the educational and administrative cadres in all public and private schools as well as kindergartens in the State of 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 diligence 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 cooperate and communicate with their children's schools and to follow up the learning process of their children and give it the top priority, noting that the blended learning has transferred the educational process outside the school walls, and gave the parents a greater role in the education of their children, thus reinforcing their partnership in the educational process. In this context, he praised the fruitful cooperation and constructive efforts exerted by all parties to the educational process which led to the success of the last school year, which makes it imperative to build on best practices and experiences in the field of blended learning.

HE the Minister also called for adherence to the procedures and precautionary measures approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Public Health in order to ensure the safety of all.

On the preparations for the new academic year, HE Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi said that the Ministry provided all inputs to the educational process so that the new academic year be effective and keeping 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 to the promotion of enlightened partnership with parents and strengthening the favorable digital infrastructure and supportive school environment, providing logistical support to the blended learning system under the best policies and scientific strategies.

HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education praised the leading role of teachers in building a promising future for the students, and lauded their extraordinary efforts in the pandemic time, 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 Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi said that the percentage of students who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the age groups from age 12 to 15 is 48.71%, and for students in the age groups form 16 to 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.

On the recruitment of new teachers, HE the Minister noted that approximately 530 teachers were recruited, including 416 local contracts and 114 external contracts.

On the readiness of the schools, HE Minister Al Hammadi, 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 2150 school buses were provided.

The number of private schools and kindergartens in the country has reached 328 schools and kindergartens with 203939 male and female students, representing more than 85 nationalities. 33% 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 program reached 111 private schools and kindergartens.

The Ministry od Education and Higher Education licensed 10 new educational and training centers, bringing the total number of educational and training centers to 148.