Possibility of student attendance numbers declining, if there is an increase in the number of Coronavirus infections. 

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahid Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education ruled out an increase of more than 50 percent attendance in school students during the second semester stressing that it is the maximum rotational attendance of students, during this year. 

HE Dr Al Hammadi also noted that the numbers may decline if there is an increase in the number of Coronavirus infections. 

Given that the fact that health comes first, HE  the Minister said in press statements on the sidelines of his recent participation in the initiative to plant a million trees at Ahmed Mansour Primary School for Boys that the vaccination will take a long time to cover the largest segment of the population, from 75% to 80%, according to what has been announced by the Ministry of  Public Health, indicating  that this will take approximately two or three months, which means that it will be towards the end of the semester or near the examinations.

“We have coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health so that school cadres are among the groups that have priority in the country to take the vaccine, starting with vaccination of school personnel, teachers and administrators, at predetermined dates, and according to schedules sent by the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Health,” he added.

HE Dr Al Hammadi further pointed out that there are joint committees between the Ministries of Education and Health in this regard and that the Ministry of Public Health's instructions are the reference on which the Ministry of Education decisions are based at every stage.

HE the Minister also stressed that the end of the second semester exams for high school diploma, students will be following the same procedures that were in force during the first semester.

Furthermore, if the vaccination of a large number of cadres is completed, then the procedures may be easier and/or the number of students will be greater during the tests, as directed by the Ministry of Public Health, at that particular moment of time.

Regarding the results of the first semester, His Excellency the Minister said, “The results are not satisfactory, and this is due to the fact that the presence of children in school is very much important and better for their educational achievement than their presence at home. Also, it has been noted that many families may not be interested in following up their children and teaching them because either the father is busy or the mother or both of them are occupied in their respective work.”

“If the education is interactive, at a time when parents work, and they are absent from following up their children, then there may be no serious educational growth by the children and this reduces their achievement rate, and we have noticed this in the results of past exams,” he added.

Regarding the ministry’s plans to raise educational standard of students, HE Dr Al-Hammadi remarked, “We have increased the proportions and numbers of students in school attendance as this would enhance their achievements.  Furthermore, there will be reinforcement lessons, as we have allowed many schools to open remedial lessons after school for students who do not get sufficient time during the day.”

“So that there are opportunities to support vulnerable students in some subjects, in addition to the follow-up that is made by teachers for students through the TIMES electronic platform,” HE the Minister added.

Regarding the lack of follow-up by some parents regarding studies of their children with regards to distance learning, the Minister noted that there is no doubt that the guardian’s interest in the student studies and daily follow-up of the lessons and exercises is an important aspect for the student. This is very necessary because if the student loses it, he or she may not be able to replace or cope up with it at a later stage, which will adversely affect their academic progress.

“On our part, MOEHE conducts regular diagnostic tests at the beginning of each academic year, and we find that there are educational gaps in some of the curriculum standards, therefore regular follow-up by parents is important so that these educational gaps do not occur,” HE the Minister added.