The blended learning approach will continue and attendance will be increased to 50 percent in schools across Qatar during Term 2, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has announced.

In a statement, the Ministry said its decision is based on “continuous follow-up and evaluation of the educational process and direct coordination with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).”

The rotational attendance schedule will stay in effect and the rate of attendance in all schools will go up to 50 percent of the school capacity.

This will be applicable in Term 2, which begins on January 3, 2021, in public schools.

“Private school students will attend their classes according to the academic calendar of each school, with January 10th being the maximum start date,” the Ministry said.

With the continuation of rotational attendance, 50 percent of students will attend classes in-person in the first week while the rest of the 50 percent will study online. In the following week, the ones who attended in-person classes will study remotely, while the remaining 50 percent will go to attend classes in schools.

“The Ministry reaffirms its continuous observation and monitoring of the attendance/absence policy on a regular basis,” the statement highlighted.

The Ministry has laid out the following requirements:

- All schools should limit classrooms size to 15 students per class.

- Desks must be kept within a safe distance of 1.5 meters apart.

- Students must wear face masks regularly depending on the academic stage.

- Schools will organize the entry and exit of students to schools’ buildings to avoid overcrowding and maintain physical distancing.

- Students with chronic diseases, as supported by an approved medical report, are exempted from in-person attendance, and can attend their lessons remotely.

- All teachers and administrative staff must attend full-time in schools and should strictly observe the precautionary measures and fully cooperate with the concerned authorities if any COVID-19 cases are confirmed or suspected.

- Students in specialized, technical, special needs and schools in remote villages, as well as private schools/preschools with low density, must attend in full capacity (100 percent) daily.  Schools, however, must split them into small groups of up to 15 students in each classroom, and a safe distance of 1.5 meters between students must be observed.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: MoEHE