​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.
• 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 the student's 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.

#Term2 | After coordination with the MoPH, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education decided to maintain the Blended Learning into Term 2 and increase the attendance rate in schools to 50% of their capacity.

🔗Read more: https://t.co/5eKgFz6F41 pic.twitter.com/rARsdFYlBL

— وزارة التعليم (@Qatar_Edu) December 29, 2020

Precautionary measures

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.

Other schools

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.

Double-shift system

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: Ministry of Education and Higher Education

Cover image: Shutterstock

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