Ministry reiterates compulsory teaching of Arabic, Islamic studies at private kindergartens
Beginning with the academic year 2022–2023, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has begun implementing its decision to make Arabic language and Islamic studies required courses in private kindergartens (KGs).
According to Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs at the Ministry, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Naama, “This academic year is the first academic year from which it is being mandated for private kindergartens to teach Arabic language and Islamic studies.”
Speaking on the sidelines of an event recently, Al Naama said the compulsory subjects include Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Qatar history.
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“In the previous years, Arabic language and Islamic studies were being taught to students from grade 1 to 12 and Qatar history from class 9. The move aims at instilling national identity and religious values in students at an early age,” said Al Naama. He said officials from the department concerned at the Ministry will visit private kindergartens to ensure implementation of the decision and evaluate the outcome in a bid to provide necessary solutions, if needed, for the success of the project.
“As many as 173 kindergartens are operating in the country. They were recently shifted under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education,” said Al Naama, adding that the number of private schools and kindergartens has reached 338.
“There are 170 private education centres offering several educational and training programmes. As per the latest statistics, private schools and kindergartens have over 211,000 students enrolled,” said Al Naama. He said the Ministry has issued licenses for eight new private schools to meet the demand in coming years.
“The private education sector at the Ministry is working to implement a number of initiatives to improve education quality in private schools.”
He cited “My principles define my identity,” “Strengthening national identity,” and the “Ethical charter” as measures released by the Ministry this year. According to him, every initiative in private schools is put through a thorough evaluation process that gauges how it will affect the children while also taking into account the rights and responsibilities of the administrators, directors, and board of trustees.
