Doha: Public and private schools in Qatar reopened today for “blended learning” with all necessary precautions and protocols in place.
Students were seen entering various schools wearing masks and there were temperature checks at the gates. As part of the blended learning, only up to 30 percent of the students are to physically attend the classes and the rest of the students will attend the classes online.
In a video message yesterday, H E Dr Mohmmed Bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi Minister of Education and Higher Education congratulated students, parents on the new academic year.
"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our students and parents at the beginning of the new academic year. I am pretty sure that this year will be very successful and fruitful for all of us.
“I would like to indicate that 'Blended Learning' offers parents a good opportunity to integrate into the educational system and renews their sense of responsibility toward their children's learning. The success of blended learning, however, depends on many factors, the most important of which is the partnership between schools and families,” the Minister said in the message.
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Attendance was thin in some private schools on the first day as parents were a little apprehensive about sending children back to school.
Ministry of Education and Higher Education officials had reassured parents that all necessary precautions are put in place and all schools are ready to receive the children.
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“We do not know when the pandemic will end, and we must live with it and achieve the goals of the educational process by continuing it. We expect the cooperation of parents to make the current school year a success,” Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Fawzia Al Khater, said during an interview with Qatar Radio recently.
Over 340,000 students will attend public and private schools for the upcoming academic year of 2020/21. Five new public schools were opened which brings the total number of public schools and preschools to 283. Additionally, 145 new classrooms will be added to the existing public schools with a capacity of more than 3,600 seats to accommodate 124,700 students.
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Thirteen new private schools and kindergartens with a capacity of more than 7,600 seats were opened, which brings the total number of private schools and kindergartens to 334. This will accommodate nearly 215,000 students.
Ministry has also tested all teachers and staff in all public and private schools for Covid-19 before the reopening.
