The Qatari Forum for Authors discussed remotely the importance of psychological preparation for returning to school under exceptional circumstances on the occasion of the start of the new academic year 2020-21.
The event was attended by consultant Dr. Daraa Mujib Al Dosari; School Director and Journalist Muhammad Yassin Al Hammadi; and Program Director of the Forum, Saleh Gharib. The session was moderated by Hessa Al Suwaidi. Muhammad Yassin Al Hammadi said the government has left no stone unturned in implementing the necessary precautionary measures to protect students in schools from COVID-19. He said that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education have trained cadres in schools to help implement the measures.
Al Hammadi said that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has overcome several challenges and difficulties of COVID-19 by implementing protocol including transportation of students and keeping students safe during their stay in classrooms and at the campus.
Dr. Daraa Mujib Al Dosari said that Qatari community is adhering to the health guidelines and COVID-19 measures issued by the authorities concerned which augurs well for a successful academic year.
He said distance learning is an opportunity for students to get acquainted with electronic programmes, applications and e-platforms for learning to keep pace with digital transformation of the world. Al Dosari said distance learning has played a key role in overcoming the crises in this crucial stage by establishing direct communication between school managements and students and their parents.
He said that everyone — the government, teachers, students and parents — shoulders responsibility at this time. Saleh Gharib said measures by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 and the protocol to protect students from coronavirus infection are effective because positive cases are declining. He said that the health and safety of the students in schools are a top priority for the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, calling parents to distance themselves from negativity and rumours.
