Doha: The decision issued by Ministry of Education and Higher Education regarding reopening of schools on a 100% capacity effective Sunday January 30, 2022 has sparked a wide debate between those who are against it and those who consider the decision is in the interest of students.
A number of parents were surprised by the ministry's decision without giving parents the right to choose whether to send their children or keep them at home.
Many others were in support of the Ministry decision saying that people are sending their children to malls but don’t want to send them to schools.
The Ministry had said that the decision will come into effect from Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Replying on the Ministry decision on its official twitter account, A Qatari teacher tweeted saying that “Thank you for your concern for our children. We hope to consider the difficulty of achieving social distancing between children, especially in kindergarten, where the class includes 25 children in a circle.”
“We suggest dividing the children for the sake of interest,” she added.
Another user on twitter Mohammed Alemadi commented “Why does the parents bear the costs of the test? Why private schools do not provide the test at their expense. What guarantees to the Ministry that this test is correct?
“No, this time the infection is more among children. This is what happened to us in Algeria, despite the adult vaccination. Now, omicron has spread rapidly, less than a week, and that is why most families were infected with it.
Commenting on the decision on The Peninsula’s Facebook page, Tanishtha Jay said: “We won't send kids to school. Online class r great and we can keep kids u see check. I see so many kids carelessly playing from morning to eve without mask.”
Another user commented “Why dont they give the parents the option for their kids? I dont want to send my kids and risk their health. Not someones’ mild symptoms would apply for everyone.”
“Kids below 12 years don’t even have approved vaccine. I am not gonna take risk of putting my kid life on risk without any protection. Even Though omicron is mild but a 3-4 year kid may not feel comfortable with those mild symptoms,” said Ravi Singh Rajput.
On the opposite side, many others supported the decision saying thanks to Ministry saying people should resume normal life.
Antoanetta Krasimirova said: “Thank you for that decision! COVID is here to stay, we must resume normal life. Well done, Qatar!”
For his part, Sindhuri Suddamalla said: “Totally happy with the reopening of schools but very unfair when it comes to weekly antigen tests !.”
“Some people are ready to take their kids to the shopping mall, same time they are afraid to send them school,” commented Muhammed Shakir Ali.
