Doha: The Minister of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi has stressed that the teacher represents the cornerstone of building Qatar's human capital, while sustainable development and a knowledge-based economy are based on an educated population who are aware of the challenges of the present and set an eye on the future to secure a prosperous life for future generations.
Speaking during World Teachers' Day, which falls on October 5 every year, the minister said that Qatar's national education system places the student at the center of its strategic directions without neglecting the pivotal role of the teacher in supporting these trends.
This year's event was held under the slogan "Messenger of Knowledge, Thank You."
The minister said that the celebration of World Teachers' Day, particularly this year, holds a profound message that expresses the state of education in the whole world, as the theme for World Teachers' Day 2022 is "The transformation of education begins with teachers."
Her Excellency pointed out that this comes in line with global trends toward the issue of the future of education after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister referred to Qatar's participation with world leaders for a Transforming Education Summit (TES) in September 2022 in New York, to which Qatar strongly contributed by preparing for it under the leadership of a regional and a national consultative meeting, which came up with outputs that affected and strengthened global trends, putting the issue of education at the top of the world leaders' political agenda.
"The celebration of Teachers' Day on October 5 each year comes to return a part of the favour to the messengers of knowledge—our male and female teachers—to whom we owe what we have achieved today," she said.
Her Excellency noted that the MoEHE sought to work on implementing the Qatar National Vision 2030, which calls for building a world-class education system that encourages analytical and critical thinking, develops creativity and innovation, keeps pace with global standards and chooses the best practices, and provides everyone with opportunities to develop their abilities, through the best education and training programs, to prepare them to engage and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
On teachers' impact and influence on their students, Her Excellency said that each of us has stories of human situations engraved in our memories, the hero of which is an unforgettable teacher. The learning experience, when told, is only complete with stories of teachers who inspired us, gave us care and attention with love, and instilled in us, without realizing it, a passion for lifelong learning. So today we celebrate teachers who have spent their lives in the service of education.
Her Excellency added that they tried in the MoEHE to see the impact of those teachers on our students, so the ministry launched the "My Teacher.. I will Not Forget You" Initiative.
"We directed the initiative to high school students to share with the ministry the celebration of Teachers' Day with stories and experiences of teachers who had an influence on their lives, teachers who developed their abilities and sparked their creative energy," the minister noted.
She said that the students' interactions with the initiative were sincere and honest, indicating that hundreds of the posts carried expressions of thanks, gratitude, and love for their teachers.
While addressing the teachers, the minister said that education is a human and social process whose ultimate goal is to build human beings, which is the essence of your mission as teachers.
"The influential teacher is a person who believes in a bigger cause, has special characteristics, among which is giving, and has the passion to see the ripe fruit of his work. Building generations is the issue of the entire society and nation, and this is what we have entrusted to you," she said.
Her Excellency pointed out that the Training and Development Center at the MoEHE carries out the task of training all parties in the educational process to constantly upgrade and develop specialized competencies and keep pace with this era that is characterized by continuous modernization and development. Her Excellency expressed her thanks and appreciation to all parties in the educational process for their part in providing a supportive environment for the teachers to offer their best to students.
She concluded her speech by congratulating the teachers on their day, stressing her deep pride in them and appreciation for their great message.
In his speech on behalf of the honored teachers, Social Studies Coordinator and one of the honored teachers, Ali Yousef Al Majed, praised the state's celebration of the teachers in honour and appreciation for teachers' efforts in teaching generations of students and instilling educational values in them. He also praised the state's belief in the value of teachers and their important role in society.
He reviewed the educational mission of teachers for students to be a conscious extension of the continuity of the educational message and to choose teaching-as a profession and in life-with a belief in the message and its active role in nation-building and the welfare of society, and with a sincere desire to participate in achieving Qatar's National Vision.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) honored 79 male and female teachers and four school principals who enriched the educational process through their long careers.
