DOHA: In a unique gesture, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and General Secretary of the Supreme Education Council (SEC) H E Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud has dedicated an exclusive day every week to listen to complaints and suggestions from the public related to his portfolio.
Every Tuesday, the Minister will hold open meetings with the citizens and the academia on issues and problems related to the education sector. This is the first time in the country a ministry is announcing an open forum involving the public on a regular basis.
Citizens can just walk in at the SEC headquarters in West Bay during the official working hours on that day and raise their problems and concerns to the Minister directly. No advance appointment is required for the meeting, said Aysha Al Kuwari, communication and media director at SEC, while announcing the decision yesterday. The SEC has also dedicated special days every week for its various departments to interact with the public without prior appointments, she added.
Al Kuwari said the purpose of the “open day,” with the Minister is “to move way from the routine procedures and settle problems in a fast and transparent manner.”
Besides the general public, professionals and members of the academic community have also been invited to the meetings.
“The new initiative is part of efforts to strengthen community partnership in education because education is a collective responsibility. The meetings are aimed at collecting feedback about the education process and know people’s opinion and attitudes and receive proposals and recommendations on the education policy,” said Al Kuwari.
She said special days have also been given for each department of the SEC to communicate with the public. Heads of the departments will answer queries and address issues raised by parents and all others involved in the educational field, she added. People can also communicate with the Minister through email and telephone No: 44933116. or Fax; 44930198.
The Peninsula
