DOHA - Thanks to the increasing importance of English as an international language and information technology (IT), the summer camps held by Islamic organisations for youth in the country have begun paying attention to these two areas of learning.
Community sources say that Islamic summer camps were earlier focusing entirely on teaching Islamic studies and Arabic, including the history of the religion and language.
But things have changed now as there is an equal, if not greater, accent placed on teaching English and computers in these summer camps, says Hassan Al Jefairi, social activist and businessman. This is because people in Qatar are now realising that if one needs to ably compete in the job market, one must know English and IT.
"This (the teaching of English and IT), I find as a very encouraging development," he said in remarks to this newspaper after attending a summer camp held by Sheikh Eid Charity in Al Khor yesterday to encourage the young participants.
Asked why so many summer camps are organised in the country this year, he said that this is the case since an increasing number of nationals are now realising that taking long vacations overseas is a waste of time and money. Besides, the children just enjoy themselves during the vacations. They don't learn anything. Whereas in a summer camp, learning is mixed with enjoyment and then the young participants have the opportunity to meet other children.
"Parents are showing a lot of enthusiasm and that's how almost all the summer camps being held are a runaway success," said Al Jefairi.
According to him, the only criticism he has against the organisers of the summer camps is that they are getting food, snacks and beverages from catering companies.
"One of the things they should teach the young Qatari participants is cooking and no summer camp should rely on caterers. The participants should themselves prepare all the food items, including tea and snacks," said Al Jefairi.
He said that because of the maid culture, no Qatari boy or girl even if he or she was a high school graduate, was able to even make tea or fry an egg. "This is bad...and for this reason, I am saying that the summer camps should teach cooking as well," he emphasised.
© The Peninsula 2007
