The Ministry of Education and Higher Education MoEHE has implemented several transformative initiatives aiming to enhance student skills and build well-rounded, responsible citizens during the 2023-24 academic year.
Enhance Student Skills
Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at MoEHE, Maha Al Ruwaili, shared insights on these developments, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to student empowerment.
Building Student Capabilities and Confidence
“We rolled out many programmes, initiatives, and activities which contributed greatly to building the personality of students, enhancing their capabilities and self-confidence,”
stated Al Ruwaili. The objective is to prepare students to become responsible citizens capable of making informed decisions.
Reading Suggestion: Audi Unveils First Fast Chargers for Qatari EV Infrastructure at Al Hazm Mall
Financial Awareness and Entrepreneurship
One of the key initiatives is the financial awareness programme ‘Al Wai Al Mali,’ designed to enable students to make sound financial decisions. In collaboration with Qatar Development Bank, the ‘I am a Pioneer’ (Ana Raid) initiative was also launched. This training programme educates students about financial concepts, empowering them to become innovative entrepreneurs.
“The programme aims to empower and develop innovative entrepreneurs among government school students by providing the necessary training and supervision in supporting entrepreneurial ideas and spreading the culture of entrepreneurship among them,” explained Al Ruwaili.
Mubadara Competition
In cooperation with Injaz Qatar, a non-profit organization, the ministry held the “Mubadara” competition. This initiative encourages students to establish investment projects with a specific financial plan. Mubadara is the culmination of a six-month-long programme where student teams conceptualize, establish, and run real businesses with guidance from professionals across Qatar.
Cybersecurity Awareness
To address the growing importance of cybersecurity, the MoEHE partnered with the National Cyber Security Agency to raise student awareness of cybersecurity concepts. This initiative aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely.
Expanding Foreign Language Education
The ministry has expanded its foreign language offerings in schools. English is taught from kindergarten through grade 12, with French available as an optional language. Additionally, there is a focus on German and Japanese, with Chinese also being added to the curriculum.
Balancing Knowledge and Skills
“Our goal for the coming academic year is to find more balance between the amount of knowledge, academics, and skills so that the student’s reference is not only the book and the educational material he studies in class,”
Al Ruwaili emphasized. The aim is to build student abilities and skills through various programmes, preparing them for future life and societal challenges.
Curriculum and Study Plan Updates
The MoEHE is keen on updating study plans and curricula to create a better balance between knowledge and skill acquisition. This approach is aligned with Qatar’s third National Development Strategy, aiming to build student personalities and prepare them for the future.
Changes in School Working Hours
Changes in working hours for government schools were introduced to enhance English language education.
“An English language class has been added, a physical education class has been added, and a life skills class has been added,”
said Al Ruwaili. These adjustments aim to reweight the curriculum to better serve student needs.
Reading Suggestion: Doha Metro and Lusail Tram Introduce QR120 30-Day Pass
Graduation Projects
Al Ruwaili reassured students that the secondary school graduation project would be an enjoyable experience. This project allows students to apply their skills and knowledge gained throughout their education, culminating in a practical and rewarding experience.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s initiatives for the 2023-24 academic year reflect a comprehensive approach to enhance student skills development. By focusing on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, foreign languages, and a balanced curriculum, the MoEHE is paving the way for a brighter future for Qatar’s students.
