Speaker of Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim (top centre), Deputy Speaker H E Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti (left) and Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi during the session of the Council, yesterday.
Doha: Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi has revealed the progress achieved by Qatar’s educational system during the past 15 years in terms of academic and cognitive achievement.
She said that the achievement was reflected in the international tests for students, as it reached (414 points in mathematics, up from 318), in reading (407 points, up from 312), and in science (419 points up from 349), according to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The Minister was speaking at a regular weekly session of Shura Council yesterday held in “Tamim bin Hamad Hall”, headed by Speaker of Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.
In the presence of Minister of Education and Higher Education the council discussed the most important educational issues, especially in terms of education development initiatives, implementation of the relevant ministry’s strategic plans, teacher training, education for people with disabilities, achievements and future plans.
At the beginning of the presentation, the Minister referred to the education process in Qatar and the development witnessed by the educational system during the last fifteen years, and new directions in light of the country’s development strategies and the new approach imposed by the COVID-19.
She highlighted some relevant educational statistics and indicators, as the number of students in the general education stage exceeds 326,000 students distributed in about 600 schools, while the number of higher education students reaches more than 35,000 in 33 higher educational institutions.
She confirmed that since 2018, the Ministry has strengthened the focus on improving the quality of education in the country, especially with regard to granting fair opportunities for all learners to enrol in high-quality educational programs, training the workforce to be efficient and qualified, characterized by performance and commitment to work ethics.
The Minister indicated that there are four main axes for the development of the educational system in the State of Qatar, stemming from the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
She explained that the first axis is the axis of students, in which their capabilities are strengthened and they acquire the basic and necessary skills to keep pace with the requirements of reality, instilling in them the values of the Qatari identity, developing and strengthening them.
The Minister pointed out that the second axis is related to teachers, as it aims to attract, train and develop them, pay attention to those with international competencies, and find various options for professional development. With regard to the third axis, she indicated that it focuses on schools, seeking to be safe, advanced and attractive, developing early education services and raising enrolment rates, and building a comprehensive educational experience, aiming to improve the quality of school life for students.
On the fourth axis, the Minister explained that it focuses on the ministry through developing institutional capacities, while ensuring the highest level of transparency and accountability, and building partnerships with families, and the public and private sectors, in order to achieve efficiency, equality, inclusiveness, growth and innovation in the educational system.
The Minister noted the Ministry’s interest in people with disabilities, by integrating them into the educational process, and creating a suitable environment for them to enhance their capabilities and provide them with all support.
Within this framework, the Minister referred to the establishment of a number of specialised schools for people with disabilities, including Al Hedaya Schools, which seeks to make a quantum leap by providing a range of specialised programs in the fields of behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, and other specialized academic programs.
