Schools to resume classes with 100% attendance today

Tribune News Network Doha Students will return to schools and kindergartens with full in-person attendance from Sunday, with adherence to all COVID-19 prec...

Tribune News NetworkDohaStudents will return to schools and kindergartens with full in-person attendance from Sunday, with adherence to all COVID-19 precautionary and preventive measures.The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has said the system of compulsory 100 percent physical attendance for all students has been adopted in schools.The ministry has sent a circular to the principals of schools and kindergartens, explaining that the working hours of the administrative and teaching staff will be from 7 am until 2 pm. The working hours of students in all stages will be until 12.30 pm, according to the schedule approved for each school.The ministry indicated that online lessons for students who are unable to attend classes because of quarantine as a result of COVID-19 infection or contact with an infected person will continue, provided that the result of infection or contact is approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).The ministry said the decision is based on consultation and co-ordination between the MoEHE and MoPH and in the interest students.A rapid antigen test needed to be conducted on a weekly basis at home for all students of public and private schools and kindergartens for all grades, this is to allow them to enter the school building, provided that the test takes place within a maximum of 48 hours before returning to school, according to the following mechanism: - Conducting a rapid antigen self-test for students at home during the weekend (on Friday or Saturday of each week).Bring a (negative) test result with the student to the school by using the acknowledgment form signed by the guardian to conduct the test (the home test acknowledgment form can be obtained through the public services portal and the ministry’s media platforms).In the case that the student’s test result is positive, he must visit the nearest health centre to confirm the result of the examination, and if it is confirmed that he is infected with the virus, he must follow the established health isolation procedures, and attend classes through the distance learning system will be available if the student’s health condition permits this.The ministry said health teams affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health will conduct random checks in schools to ensure that the educational process proceeds in a safe and healthy school environment, stressing its commitment and keenness to continue the educational process in a manner that suits all circumstances, with emphasis on applying precautionary measures for students and educational and administrative staff in accordance with the protocol approved by the MoPH, especially the obligation to wearing masks, physical distancing, and good ventilation in classrooms and administrative offices.