Second Assalam School Marks Successful Transition to 2020-21 with 602 Children Enrolled
Established under EAA’s Together Project in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), and funded by Qatar Charity (QC) and Afif Charity, the Second Assalam School provides tuition-free schooling to Arabic-speaking children that were previously not enrolled in school. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the school promptly adopted alternative measures to ensure all students had continued access to education, including digital learning supported with the provision of free internet connectivity and continuous teacher support.
Talal Al Hothal, Director of EAA’s Al Fakhoora programme, said: “With our partners and donors, EAA proudly reflects on the achievements of the Second Assalam School and its ability to uphold the fundamental right to education for every child. Despite the unpredictable challenges to the education sector caused by COVID-19, EAA was able to work together with the Second Assalam School to ensure that students could continue their learning. We look forward to the school’s ongoing development in the coming years as it carries on providing quality education for children and adolescents in Qatar.”
Mr. Mohammed Al Ghamdi, Assistant CEO for the Governance and Institutional Development Sector at Qatar Charity, said: “Worldwide, poverty remains a persistent barrier that impedes access to quality education. As NGOs, we have a moral responsibility to leverage resources, access and expertise to expand education systems to support the most marginalised groups, including children from low-income families, girls, children with disabilities and displaced youth.”
“Qatar Charity’s support for the Assalam Schools in Qatar stems from the same unwavering commitment to provide equal opportunities for all children to access quality education and life skills that will help them develop their full capacities and live in dignity. We will continue to work with global leaders in education like Education Above All Foundation, led by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, and with governments to provide effective support to national efforts in Qatar and all over the world, aimed at ensuring inclusive quality education for all children by 2030,” he concluded.
During the past year, the Second Assalam school, which currently supports 602 students across 13 nationalities, ensured children’s involvement in extra-curricular activities such as Qatar National Library’s (QNL) reading programme and other arts, sports and science-related competitions.
Teachers were provided with skill-based training courses to allow them to learn various teaching strategies and methods that address the unique challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on schooling.
Dr. Yahya, Principal of the Second Assalam School, noted: “The school has achieved a lot of success in its first year and with its three levels it helped children that were previously not enrolled in school realise their dreams through access to quality education, to become positive contributors to their communities and countries. We are grateful for the continued support from our staff and supporters, including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Education Above All Foundation, Qatar Charity, and Afif Charity, making the Second Assalam School an essential part of Qatar’s education system, where we actively work to fulfil our students’ hope for a brighter future.”
Launched in 2017, EAA’s Together Project is dedicated to identifying and addressing the barriers that are keeping children in Qatar from enrolling in schools and providing them with equal access to quality education. Through the Assalam Schools, the Qatar-based initiative aims to enrol children from low-income families via alternative educational institutes and programmes. To date, Together has ensured educational access for over 2,187 children.
