HH Sheikha Moza attends discussion marking International Day of Education
HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, participated in a discussion hosted by the entity to mark the International Day of Education.
HH Sheikha Moza spoke at the opening panel session of a series of activities and events at Education City, held through a collaboration between Qatar Foundation (QF) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, under the theme ‘Education is everyone’s responsibility.’
Also attending the events at Education City was HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation.
During the session, Sheikha Moza commended the decision by Qatar to allocate three hours for parents and guardians to experience their children’s learning environment, welcoming this move as it reflects the State’s interest in education and its belief in the role of the family in the development of children.
Sheikha Moza spoke about identity challenges faced by students, stating that the root cause of this problem stems from students' own command of the Arabic language, and saying that while there is no weakness in Arabic itself, students are not practicing it as their daily language: “Arabic language is the incubator of thought, cultural understanding and heritage, and thus identity.”
In addressing these challenges, Sheikha Moza emphasized that education is the responsibility of everyone involved in a child’s upbringing, including families, schools, and media institutes.
Addressing the students in the audience, she asked them to be proud of their identity, saying: “Have confidence in yourself and always bear in mind the unique and wonderful qualities of the Arabic language and culture. Be open to others and celebrate their characteristics, but I ask you to reject the aspects of global citizenry that require you to erase or weaken our local and national identity.”
The session discussed the collective responsibility that society holds towards language and identity, due to language being a critical component in shaping and strengthening people’s identity.
It also explored the role of the curricula in developing awareness of local heritage, focused on the necessity of localizing education, especially in international schools, because of its impact on identity, and highlighted the role of schools, family, and media in promoting language and identity.
Also participating in the discussion were Qatar Foundation’s President of Pre-University Education Abeer Al Khalifa, QF Pre-University Education’s Executive Director of Projects and Strategic Partnerships Sheikha Nouf Al Thani, Dr Ibrahim Al Khulaifi, a Kuwaiti educational expert, Dr Sharifa Al Emadi, Executive Director of QF’s Doha International Family Institute and Maryam Al Muhannadi, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
“Today’s celebration highlights the significance of education in fostering social growth, and building sustainable and resilient societies. And by commemorating this day, Qatar Foundation showcases its commitment and keen belief in the importance of investing in human development,” said Abeer Al Khalifa.
“Bringing change for quality, comprehensive and equitable education by 2030 requires the collaboration between all partners in the public and private sectors, as well as from individuals and parents as the primary partner – and their commitment to prioritizing education,” she added.
Al Khalifa also spoke about the government’s decision to allow employees time off work to engage in the celebrations planned for the day, highlighting the importance of the family’s role in their children’s learning process.
Sheikha Nouf Al Thani stressed that including Arabic as a language of teaching and learning in QF schools was an essential part of its commitment to promoting Arabic language and national.
She pointed out the importance of allocating sufficient time to learning the Arabic language, saying, “In addition to allocating sufficient time, there’re two key elements — teacher training and developing the international curriculum in a way that’s compatible with bilingualism.
“At Qatar Foundation, we’ve aimed since the beginning of our journey to provide high-quality education linked to our language, values and national identity.”
Speaking about increasing public awareness of the importance of education as a path to achieving national sustainable development goals, Al Muhannadi said: “We must be proud of our national identity. Arabic is the foundation of our identity, and it’s the language of teaching and learning in our educational system. Learning other languages is a journey of continuous education, not a destination in itself.
“Media based on promoting the values of citizenship and the use of Arabic language through attractive, creative programmes and ideas should be our choice and decision to enhance national identity, social responsibility, and build a strong and cohesive society.”
The International Day of Education activities at QF, held in Arabic language, also showcased educational programs in an interactive exhibition and visits by secondary school students to QF’s partner universities, together with a series of panel discussions and the opportunity for parents to visit their children’s schools at QF and participate in workshops and community activities.
The celebration of education saw 11 of QF’s schools participate, with a further 22 entities hosting activities.
It will continue to be held annually on January 24, with the aim of inspiring public and private entities, as well as people across society, to actively champion and elevate the standard of education throughout Qatar.
---
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
X - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
