Compulsory rotational attendance in schools across Qatar from today

Nov 1, 2020

As rotational attendance becomes mandatory in schools across Qatar from today, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has once again highlighted the precautionary measures that will be in place to protect the health of students and staff.

"We are committed to your health and safety as you return back to schools. Your awareness and observance of the precautionary measures is what will help us fulfil this commitment," the Ministry addressed students in a tweet.

The decision to adopt a rotational attendance system for students in all schools across Qatar was announced on October 22, 2020.

The new attendance system requires all students in public and private schools as well as kindergartens to attend school in-person on a rotational basis.

Earlier parents had a choice between in-person attendance or distance learning but with the implementation of the rotational attendance system, this option is no longer available.

Below are some of the measures that will be taken under this new system:

- the average attendance rate in all government and private schools and kindergartens will be increased to 42 percent of the capacity of schools. This will be per the weekly rotating attendance schedule.

- distance learning will be carried out on the days the students are not in school in-person.

- students in all stages will be divided into groups of 15 students each per class. A safe distance of 1.5 meters will be maintained between each student in a class.

- schools will provide students with rotating schedules to help them understand the days of in-person attendance and the days of distance learning, based on their school stage.

- entry and exit of students from and to the school building will be managed by the schools to avoid crowding and ensure social distancing.

- wearing face masks will be mandatory based on each academic stage.

- those students who are chronically ill and have certified medical certificates will be excluded from attendance to the school building during the first semester.

- all administrators and teachers will strictly follow all precautionary measures and fully cooperate with the concerned authorities should there be any discovery or suspicion of any COVID-19 infection case.

MoEHE stated that these amendments are in the interest of students and work on their gradual return to the school environment.

The Government Communications Office (GCO) also released a video highlighting all precautionary measures schools have taken in preparation of welcoming students back to campus.

Schools in #Qatar have taken all precautionary measures in preparation for their students' return. Using the rotational learning system, the system will combine online & classroom-based learning & be implemented at all stages of education, starting tomorrow, Sunday. pic.twitter.com/b92uGhtYtV
— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) October 31, 2020