Engineer Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi (right), President of Ashghal, exchanging an agreement with a company representative at The St Regis Hotel in Doha yesterday. Kammutty V P
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) yesterday announced the start of work on 44 new educational institutions — 29 schools and 15 kindergartens — across villages and suburbs in the country. The projects worth QR2bn are expected to be completed by 2014-end.
The President of Ashghal, Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi, unveiled the projects in the presence of the Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, in a press conference.
Ashghal last year delivered 26 schools and KGs built at an estimated cost of QR1bn. It also announced to hand over 16 new schools and KGs built at a cost of QR442m, before the beginning of the academic year 2013-2014.
According to reports, the existing schools are facing increasing pressure due to the growing population.
Asked if the upcoming projects will ease pressure on schools, the Minister said: “It will take at least another couple of years to address the issue. We are making efforts to improve the teacher-student ratio by reducing the number of students in a class. “Our education system is still facing many challenges. We want to improve the efficiency of students to make them result-oriented by imparting quality education… This can be addressed by effective coordination among all organisations concerned.”
However, he said: “Our education system, in terms of curriculum, teachers, infrastructure and academic environment, has witnessed remarkable improvement over the last 10 years.”
“But more needs to be done to achieve the ambitious objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added. Al Mawlawi said that Ashghal continues to work closely with the ministry and other government bodies to develop educational facilities.
“In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, Ashghal is committed to supporting an advanced educational system by building modern and technologically advanced educational institutions across Qatar. Education is a key pillar of social progress, and new contracts demonstrate Ashghal’s unwavering contribution to this crucial sector.”
The new schools will be in Al Waab, Al Aziziya, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Rayyan, Aba Al Hayran, Old Airport, Oneiza, Al Wukair, Al Khissa, Al Luqta, Madinat Khalifa South, Madinat Khalifa North, Onaiza, Rawdat Al Hamama, Al Thameed, Al Hilal, Nuaijaa, Al Thumama, Al Karaana, Mesaieed, Rowdat Rashid and Umme Salal Mohammed.
Ten new kindergartens will be opened around Doha and villages such as Madinat Khalifa, Lijmiliya, Rawdat Egdaim, Al Mearad, Jeryan Jenaihat, Mebaireek, Al Hareen, Nuaija and Old Airport area, and five in Al Hilal, Leghwairya, and Al Rayyan areas.
Most of the construction contracts have gone to local companies, including Tadmur Trading & Contracting, Imperial Trading & Contracting Co, Al Darwish Engineering, Lotus Trading & Contracting Co, International Trading & Contracting, Al Sraiya Trading & Contracting Co and Bojamhoor Trading & Contracting Co.
