H.E. Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wahid Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, visited several schools on the first day of the secondary school final exams to ensure that the relevant safety measures were in place to protect the students from the Covid-19 outbreak. The exams started on Monday June 1, 2020 and will continue until June 13, 2020.

Dr. Al Hammadi visited the Doha Preparatory and Secondary Schools for Boys, where he was briefed about the examination process as well as the facilities and the safety measures implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among the various committees involved in the administration of the general secondary certificate exams.

The Minister stated that to ensure the health and safety of our students, teaching staff, and others assisting in the process, all necessary occupational health and safety measures have been put in place in all schools.  These actions are part of the precautions taken by the State authorities to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Al-Hammadi also pointed out that one of the standards set by the Ministry includes the requirements for safe distancing between students during the tests. The Ministry also took into consideration the current climate and health conditions and thus reduced both testing times and the number of questions included in each test.

The Minister praised the close and constructive co-operation between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and other relevant ministries in ensuring that all necessary safety precautions have been taken, contributing to the smooth conduct of the exams.

In closing, he offered his thanks to the teaching and administrative staff for their efforts in the preparation, monitoring, and correction of the exams during this difficult time. And most importantly, he praised the students for their support and determination to build a prosperous future for themselves and for Qatar.