Qatar Schools to Continue Blended Learning, Increase Attendance Rate up to 50% on 2nd Term

  • 3 years   ago

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) has decided to increase the attendance rate in all public schools and private schools/preschools up to 50% of their capacity according to the weekly rotating attendance schedule.

Attendance is compulsory during the second term, starting from 3 January 2021 for public schools, and for private schools according to the academic calendars, with January 10 as the maximum start date.

MOEHE noted that the blended learning will be implemented according to the weekly rotating attendance schedules. 

In this framework, all public and private schools and preschools are committed to implementing the 50% rotational on-site school attendance.

MOEHE emphasizes that all teachers and administrative staff must attend full-time in schools, must strictly implement the precautionary measures and fully cooperate with the concerned authorities if any Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are detected or suspected. MOEHE will deal firmly with any violations of implementing the precautionary measures in schools. MOEHE also emphasizes that legal actions will be taken in violation of these measures. 

​In light of the continuous follow-up and evaluation of the educational process and based on the direct coordination with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) as well as Covid-19 indicators, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education decided to increase the attendance rate in public schools and private schools/preschools to 50% of their capacity.

Students will attend schools as per the weekly rotating schedule in each school. Attendance is compulsory during the second term, which starts on January 3rd, 2021, for public schools. Private school students will attend their classes according to the academic calendar of each school, with January 10th being the maximum start date.

The Blended Learning approach will continue to be implemented as well,In  this context, all schools and preschools are required to arrange for implementing the 50% rotational on-site school attendance. Accordingly, 50% of the registered students in the school will attend in-person classes in the first week and then study remotely (attend recorded lessons and live sessions) in the following week. The other 50% of students body in the school will attend in the second week of term 2 after they have already studied remotely in the first week. The Ministry reaffirms its continuous observation and monitoring of the attendance/absence policy on a regular basis.

All schools should limit classrooms size to 15 students per class. Desks must be kept within a safe distance of 1.5 meters apart. And students must wear face masks regularly depending on the academic stage.

Schools will organize the entry and exit of students to schools’ buildings to avoid overcrowding and maintain physical distancing. Students with chronic diseases, as supported by an approved medical report, are exempted from in-person attendance, and can attend their lessons remotely.

All teachers and administrative staff must attend full-time in schools and should strictly observe the precautionary measures and fully cooperate with the concerned authorities if any Covid-19 cases are confirmed or suspected. Strict measures and legal actions will be taken against any school in violation of the precautionary measures.

Students in specialized, technical, special needs and schools in remote villages, as well as private schools/preschools with low density, must attend in full capacity (100%) daily.  Schools, however, must split them into small groups of up to 15 students in each classroom, and a safe distance of 1.5 meters between students must be observed.

Subject to the prior approval of the MOEHE's Private Schools Affairs Department, private schools and preschools can apply the double-shift system daily to cover the required schooling hours. It is important, however, to ensure that the attendance rate does not exceed 50% of the school capacity per shift, whether in the classrooms or the entire school. All facility surfaces must be sterilized properly during the intervals between shifts.

Schools will provide students with the rotational attendance schedules, which demonstrate the days of in-person attendance and those of distance learning classes for each academic stage.

 

The Ministry places the health and safety of students, teachers, and administrative staff at the top of its priorities. It cooperates with the local concerned authorities, led by MOPH, to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of all students, given that their physical and mental health is a top priority in the educational process.

The Ministry emphasizes that the increase of the attendance rate to 50% is in the best interest of students and facilitate their gradual return to the school environment. Classroom interaction between a student and a teacher, and among students boost the intellectual potential of the students and foster a viable educational process.

Source: Hukoomi - Qatar e-Government Portal

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