Students across the country heaved a sigh of relief as after almost one-and-a-half years they could mingle withe their friends and engage in different activities.
Schools operating across the country started welcoming students with full capacity of classrooms marking a pleasant return to normalcy in education sector.
This came following the decision of State Cabinet issued on September 29 on gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on education sector starting from October 3, 2021. The decision brought great relief to parents and teachers who had been struggling for nearly two years to support the students in online lessons and later on with hybrid format.
One of the major challenges of online learning system was to keep the students motivated during classes, which was essential for their educational performance.
In addition, the interaction of students with teachers through online platform was less effective than in-person classroom teaching where teachers can monitor the activities of students easily.
Now, with returning to 100 percent classroom teaching, the prime focus of schools is to assess the educational performance of students to cover the losses of those legging behind in academic performance.
Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, has said that a number of measures are being taken to ensure a smooth education process in schools with the decision of 100 percent classroom learning.
“Regarding the returning of students in schools with 100 percent attendance in classroom, there will be distance of one metre between one student to the other,” said Dr. Al Khal.
Speaking in a Qatar TV programme, he said that it is mandated to wear face masks for students from Grade 1 and above to curb the spread of the pandemic.
“There are several other factors which will curb possible infection in schools such as high percentage of vaccination. Over 90 percent teachers, administrative staff and workers in school have been fully vaccinated.
About 71 percent students aged 12 to 17 received both the doses of vaccine,” said Dr. Al Khal.
He said that preventive measures which are in place in schools will also contribute in fighting the pandemic.
“The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will conduct random tests of COVID-19 among students from time to time to trace early any positive case,” said Dr. Al Khal.
He said that under the new decision it is mandatory for students aged 12 and above who did not take both doses of vaccine to undergo weekly test COVID-19 which will be provided by the MoPH at schools.
He urged parents to take their children who are eligible for vaccine to a health centre for vaccination.
Based on the decision of State Cabinet, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education had announced that from October 3, 2021, kindergartens, schools and higher education institutions would return to study with full attendance of students at 100% of the approved capacity of the school building.
Later the Ministry announced the easing of some precautionary measures and restrictions, in line with the plan to gradually lift restrictions imposed to fight the pandemic. These measures include government and private kindergartens, schools and higher education institutions returning to full attendance from October 3, 2021, adhering certain preventive measures.
The measures include maintaining the appropriate distance between the students, which is a minimum of one metre at all times. Schools are also required to maintain physical distancing in staff rooms and offices and making sure to leave a safe distance between employees.
All students, administrative and teaching staff are mandated to wear a mask while in schools and higher education institutions.
The bubble arrangement system will continue in study and transportation, allowing the use of buses to transport students, with a capacity of 75%.
The attendance policy is in place. It is mandatory to adhere to the precautionary measures related to the implementation of the fourth phase of the plan to lift the restrictions.
All students from the age of 12 years and above, employees and workers in schools, kindergartens and higher education institutions, are mandated to conduct a rapid test for coronavirus (Rapid Antigen) or a test of
PCR approved by the Ministry of Public Health, on a weekly basis, if they have not received or completed doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have recovered from the disease are excluded from the examination procedure.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education recently concluded its annual campaign ‘Back to School’ for the academic year 2021-22, in cooperation with the ‘Your Health First’ campaign which was run by Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar.
The campaign was launched in a number of kindergartens and schools, aiming at encouraging learning, renewing the spirit of activity and positivity, and preparing students to attend regular school hours and maintaining their enthusiasm during distance learning.
A team from the Public Relations and Communication Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education distributed nearly 12,000 assorted gifts in a number of schools during this week.
