The minister also stressed that the ministry pays great attention to students’ life skills and works to improve them, including self-reliance skills, independent thinking, financial analysis, decision-making and entrepreneurial projects, referring to what Qatar and Qatar Banking Studies and Business Administration and secondary technical school are doing in this regard.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) at a ceremony held yesterday by INJAZ Qatar to honour education partners and volunteers, the minister pointed out that all these bodies have long, distinguished and pioneering experience in the said fields, and are supporting the ministry in providing expertise and environment to
develop students’ skills.
Regarding feedback on the newly launched curricula for this academic year, Dr al-Hammadi stated that the ministry has completed the new elementary and preparatory school curricula for this academic year and is now in the process of finalising the secondary school curricula for the coming year, pointing out that the new curricula focused on identity, values and skills of the 21 century, as well as on improving both learning requirements and the level of cultural development.
He added we tried to come out with new curriculum, focusing on self-learning and building the personality and competency of the good citizen so that the student can become an active participant in the classroom and in all requirements of the new curriculum, adding it is normal if there are observations about the curriculum. Every modified curriculum needs a lot of revision, and we welcome all the constructive observations about the curriculum, he said, adding we have a hotline and social network platforms to receive any feedback.
The minister said that the new curricula require a qualitative shift in thought, culture and behaviour from both teachers and students, and that they should all be responsible
to bear the resulting changes.
He said that the teacher must be trained enough to fully understand the new curriculum and its requirements, adding that the students and their parents should also help in improving the curriculum, which the ministry relies heavily on to make a quantum leap in the level of students. He pointed out that students, their parents and teachers are taking responsibility in achieving this great national goal.
On the role of the private sector in supporting Qatar’s efforts to develop the educational system, the minister said that the state encourages the private sector and helps it to invest in education, including free services, land and schools, as well as tuition fees, training programmes and all other
educational requirements.
He said that the private sector is a key partner in terms of investment in education, pointing out that the number of students in private schools is twice that of public schools, adding that the number of private schools exceeds the number of public schools, while many Qatari students study in private schools. He pointed out that the ministry concerned about the quality of these schools, as they must achieve the ministry’s educational goals as is the case for public schools. (QNA)
