Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Following the Qatari government’s decision to close schools and universities nationwide due to concerns about the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), most Indian Schools in Qatar are all prepared to begin the new academic year (2020-2021) with online classes starting from April 5.
Indian schools start a new academic year in April while most other schools in Qatar start a new cycle in September.
“As per the Directives of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, all teaching institutions in Qatar are closed as precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Considering the present circumstances, we will be making the best favourable use of this situation where we cannot be physically present in school. However, this provides us with an opportunity to learn through new methods of remote learning,” DPS Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS), a prominent Indian school in Qatar, said in a statement on Friday.
“We are delighted to inform you that we will reopen the school on April 5, 2020, for classes three and above. Teachers will virtually interact with students and also conduct classes,” the school said.
“The school has decided to commence e-learning for the students of classes I-V, from April 5, 2020, through the MICROSOFT TEAMS platform. Weekly plan for all subjects will be uploaded in the school portal of DPS-MIS. The e-learning process will be facilitated through the Pearson Active App, which will be made accessible for all the students,” the school said.
While e-learning classes will also be conducted for students of classes VI-VIII, the school said that teachers will virtually interact with students and also conduct classes for students of classes IX and above.
“In view of this emergency situation, the School has made arrangements for Remote Learning Classes which will be conducted for five days a week. Teaching timings will be from 9.15 am to 1.45 pm. The scheduled timetable of the classes will be uploaded on the school website shortly,” the school said.
Both teachers and students interact online in Zoom App to accomplish the target of learning online, DPS-MIS said.
Similarly, Birla Public School has announced that virtual classrooms will commence for all classes from class V and above from April 5 to begin the new academic year. For grades up to V, classes will begin based on the Ministry of Education & Higher Education directives, the school said in a statement.
According to a senior official of the Indian embassy in Qatar, all Indian schools in Qatar will begin the new academic year in the month of April by conducting classes online for students.
