Qatar- Guidelines for private school activities and trips issued

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, represented by the private education affairs sector, has issued the general guidelines for school activities and trips in private schools and kindergartens.  The guidelines aim to enhance classroom and extra-curricula activities in various educational, cultural and developmental fields, and enrich the leisure time of students for useful things.  The plans for activities and school trips in schools and kindergartens for the State of Qatar are among the important plans that help achieve educational goals.  It works on the development of students in all areas that enhance education, knowledge, skills and cultures, and contribute to providing students with the values and information necessary to consolidate the educational process, through reality in the field, dialogue and participation with experienced people, which helps students to refine their capabilities, to be good citizens, able to keep pace with developments, and to develop society.  In a circular sent to all schools and kindergartens, the Private Education Affairs Sector stressed the need to adhere to the rules and standards of the guidelines when choosing school activities and trips, in addition to the main conditions related to the necessary approvals, and those required to be followed related to the safety and security of the school community.  These guidelines include major general regulations that help private schools and kindergartens to effectively plan and organise school activities, events and trips, take into account the age group of students, and their relevance to the educational curriculum objectives.   It also contains all the rules and regulations subject to the supervision and control of the Private Schools Affairs Department, which obliges private schools and kindergartens to implement them during school activities and trips, and through it the security and safety of students are guaranteed, and the target educational goals are achieved by the end of the school year.  The guidelines specify general directives regarding the school activities and includes basic (compulsory) activities that all private schools and kindergartens must carry.  It is represented in Islamic occasions and aims to invite students to adhere to the teachings of true Islam, and to have good morals. Its activities are focused on many occasions, such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. It also includes national events and celebrations related to the Qatari heritage and aims to inculcate values and principles in the love of the homeland among students, and to be proud of their homeland in front of all countries as well as spreading awareness among people about the importance of preserving national unity. These occasions include, for example, the celebration of Qatar National Day, December 18, the occasion of ‘Garangao' in the middle of the blessed month of Ramadan, and the celebration of the National Sport Day.  As for the general (optional) activities, aim is to enhance awareness among the participants of the importance of a particular issue and its role in the lives of individuals and societies, and these activities include various scientific, social, health, cultural, artistic and entertainment aspects, especially those related to the country's goals and directions.  The guidelines listed a group of international days proposed to be celebrated with some school activities, due to the importance of educating students about them, including, for example: the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attacks, the International Day of the Arabic Language, the International Day of Museums, the International Day of Diabetics, the International Day of Theater, the International Day for People with Special Needs among others.  The framework clarified the conditions for approving school activities and trips, which are  school activities are appropriate for the age group of students, diversity and inclusion in choosing school activities and trips.  The school activities and trips are appropriate to the wishes of students and their preferences, and the diversity in choosing external bodies and institutions when implementing the school trips and activities plan.  The general guidelines of activities also stressed that private schools and kindergartens take into account the rules of implementing school activities and trips within the State of Qatar, including, for example, obtaining prior approvals for the school activity or trip from the concerned authorities and the relevant official authorities, and bearing full responsibility for maintaining the security and safety of students, and achieving conditions of safety and security, providing an adequate number of supervisors and without interrupting to school hours.  The activities, trips and educational programs to be accounted by 50%, recreational trips by 10%, educational trips by 20%, and 20% to be allocated to programs that promote national identity and Qatari heritage in private schools.  The camping inside Qatar (outside the school fence) is restricted to preparatory and secondary school students only, and females are separated from males on separate camping days to ensure respect for religious values, customs and traditions.  Muslim students will perform the prayers on time, and should be provided appropriate place for that. The internal or external trips must be optional, and a written consent is required for them from the guardian.  As for the regulations for foreign school trips (outside the State of Qatar), private schools must obtain written approvals from parents on the trip cover book, which includes a detailed explanation of the educational objective of the trip and the program.  Female supervisors for female students, male supervisors for male students will be assigned.  MENAFN25042021000063011010ID1101978780