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Doha: Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced that blended learning with rotational attendance will continue in public and private schools as children resume from their vacation on August 29.
The Ministry in a tweet stated that it was decided to adopt a blended education system with an average attendance rate of 50% of the capacity of the buildings in all public and private schools and kindergartens in Qatar for the academic year 2021-2022.
In a special speech addressed by Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi to the school personnel on the occasion of the start of the new academic year, 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 only has a small number of students, 100% attendance is allowed, provided that the number of students in one class does not exceed 15 students while maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters between students.
The Ministry stresses that the health and safety of its students, teaching staff, administration, and all school workers is one of its most important priorities, and despite the vaccination of more than 94% of educational and administrative staff in all public and private schools and kindergartens in Qatar, the Ministry stresses the need for all administrators and teachers to adhere to implementing precautionary measures.
The Ministry also required administrative and teaching staff in government and specialized schools, schools for people with disabilities, private schools and kindergartens to conduct a rapid test for the Covid-19 (Rapid Antigen) on a weekly basis, for those who did not receive or complete 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.
