QNA
Doha
Minister of Education and Higher Education and Chairperson of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater has stressed the need to train teachers capable of transferring knowledge to the next generation.
The minister was speaking at the opening of the 14th session of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Conference for Arab Ministers of Education, held under the title, ‘Inclusive Education and Empowering Teachers: A Strategic Vision for Education in the Arab World’.
Chaired by Qatar, the conference was organised by ALECSO in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), and Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
The minister highlighted numerous challenges faced by the education sector worldwide, including in Arab countries.
She acknowledged the notable progress made since the beginning of the millennium in improving academic achievement and ensuring equal access to formal education.
She, however, pointed out the barriers encountered, especially in keeping pace with rapidly advancing digital technology, expansion of scientific disciplines, and the need to train teachers capable of transferring knowledge to the next generation.
She stressed that this conference represents an effort to enhance and develop the quality of education by providing an opportunity to exchange successful experiences and build effective partnerships between Arab countries, adding that it also aims to review emerging trends in education and find innovative solutions to overcome challenges, ensuring a brighter future for future generations.
She emphasised that the theme of this year’s conference reflects an ambitious and renewed vision to achieve inclusive education as a fundamental right for all, and to empower teachers to become effective leaders in education.
She also stressed that education is a central pillar in achieving sustainable development and social justice due to its positive impact on building and developing individuals’ capacities. It equips learners with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to drive the desired changes toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
“High-quality education requires attention to teachers, who are the cornerstone of the educational process. This requires continuous training, professional development, and support, which enhance teachers’ abilities to keep up with modern educational trends and technological developments, improving student outcomes,” Khater noted.
She also highlighted Qatar’s initiatives aimed at empowering teachers both before and during their service, including Tamheen, Tamkeen, and Leaders Pathway programmes through Teach for Qatar foundation, which prepares training programmes designed for those looking to transition into the teaching profession and contribute to building the future.
She also referred to Successful beginning programme, which supports new teachers for a full year, helping them develop their skills and abilities, adding that Qatar launched Teachers Fellowship Programme (Khebrat), which provides high-quality educational and training opportunities for teachers to elevate the teaching profession, especially in the face of technological advancements and challenges.
The minister pointed to the launch of Qatar’s e-learning strategy in 2022 and the introduction of initiatives and curricula focused on cybersecurity, enhancing digital citizenship awareness, and ensuring data security, in efforts to protect youth from the dangers of unsafe internet usage.
She acknowledged the unprecedented challenges faced by Arab region in recent years, including efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and effects of conflicts that have deprived millions of children of educational opportunities.
According to the World Bank, schools in the region were closed for an average of 22 weeks between 2020 and 2022 in response to the pandemic, equivalent to half a school year.
Khater also mentioned that numerous UN reports have indicated that 15 million children have left school due to escalating conflicts in the region, with the number expected to rise to 20 million in the next five years.
She expressed hope that these conflicts, including the genocide against Palestinian people, will be resolved, allowing students to return to their schools and contribute to the development of their societies.
She reviewed the significant efforts of Qatar Fund for Development, which has provided over one billion dollars in educational aid to more than 60 countries, as well as the work of ‘Education Above All’ foundation through its ‘Educate a Child’ initiative, which has enrolled over 15 million children in 57 countries around the world.
These efforts reflect Qatar’s steadfast commitment to supporting education both domestically and internationally, she said.
The minister commended the role of ALECSO in uniting efforts to craft shared visions for the future of education in the Arab world, contributing to the well-being and sustainability of its people.
Director-General of ALECSO Dr Mohamed Ould Amar said that Qatar sets a model to be emulated in supporting and developing the education sector at all levels, appreciating the efforts of the MoEHE in adopting pioneering educational initiatives that enabled it to lead the global ranking of quality and excellence in education.
He highlighted the significant efforts made by Qatar in implementing Arab and regional initiatives that have contributed to achieving inclusive Arab education as Qatar has hosted several events focused on e-learning, artificial intelligence, and application awards for people with disabilities in collaboration with Mada Center.
Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of the Education Department at the Arab League Dr Faraj Al Ajmi said that teachers play a pivotal role in promoting comprehensive education and must be knowledgeable about diverse learning needs, differentiated teaching, and universal design for learning.
Dr Al Ajmi said that empowering teachers is a key part of comprehensive education’s success given that teachers are at the heart of the success of any education system, as such, he stressed the need to provide teachers with continuous training, resources, and support in order to help them acquire new skills to keep up with students’ evolving needs and improving the overall quality of education.
The Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of the Education Department at the Arab League described education as being the cornerstone for nations aspiring to achieve prosperity and progress, stating that a country that possesses a developed education system is also one that excels in all fields social, cultural, economic, and political yielding qualitative educational outcomes and producing an able and active society.
Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports of Morocco Mohamed Saad Berrada, who was the president of the 13th ALECSO Conference for Arab Ministers of Education, said the conference’s theme was chosen to highlight the importance of supporting efforts for the reform and development underway here, as part of joint efforts to advance education in Arab countries, praising in this context the State of Qatar’s significant effort in successfully organizing this conference and ensuring its smooth execution.
In her remarks on the sidelines of the conference sessions, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the MoEHE Maha Zayed Qaqaa Al Ruwaili emphasised that this event focuses on discussing the best ways to develop educational policies, infrastructure, educational structures, human cadres, and curricula.
She noted that this exchange contributes to enhancing cooperation between Arab countries to achieve a common vision for the future of education, and emphasises the importance of coordinating Arab efforts to develop education in a manner that is consistent with the challenges and changes facing the Arab world.
She pointed out that the conference witnessed, in its active sessions, the presentation of new ideas and visions related to the development of educational and research programs aimed at improving educational outcomes, especially in the areas of digital transformation and comprehensive education.
She noted that the conference focused on formulating future visions for the Arab education system, in line with the requirements of national and international agendas such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
