THE government has announced a new rotating learning system for all public and private schools in the country. Starting November 1, all students will attend classes in-person but on a weekly rotating basis with schools allowed to operate at 42 percent of their capacity. The schools had reopened on September 1 after months-long hiatus due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Initially the schools were allowed to take in only 30 percent of their total student capacity in order to ensure social distancing and other COVID-19 safety precautions. In addition, the parents were given the option of either sending the kids to school or continue the distance learning. Unde the new system, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has directed schools to bifurcate the classes and keep maximum 15 students in one class. There will be 1.5-metre distance between every two pupils in the class. Face masks are also mandatory. Schools will also ensure that social distancing is maintained and there is no crowding when the pupils arrive at the school building or leave after the school. Students with chronic diseases are excluded from in-person attendance during the first semester. Private schools and kindergartens have also been allowed, with prior approval from the ministry, to have two shifts of classes to ensure that maximum pupils can attend the school every day. However, schools will have to ensure that no more than 42 percent students of a school’s total capacity are present at the premises, and surfaces are thoroughly disinfected between the shifts. Schools with a small number of students within the approved percentages can have full attendance five days a week, provided that the number of students in one class does not exceed 15 students with a distance of 1.5 metres between the pupils. The authorities have taken these further reopening measures after reassuring results of the country’s proactive COVID-19 safety measures for schools. Health officials have said that less than one percent of the total school students in the country were infected with the virus, with majority of the students catching the virus outside the schools. Qatar has zero child mortality rate from COVID-19, while only four children with COVID-19 have been admitted to intensive care unit so far. The Ministry of Public Health has put in place measures to ensure the safety of schools from COVID-19, with random testing of school students and staff. Students are also examined if they come in contact with an infected person.
