Doha - Abu Baker Al Siddique Independent School for Boys, the recipient of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum award for its distinguished performance during the last academic year, received a visit from H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned on Thursday.
Sheikha Mozah's visit was aimed at getting acquainted with the school's educational curricula and programmes. Apart from the Sheikh Hamdan Award, the school also received an award in an educational value competition organized by the Ministry of Education.
Sheikha Mozah, the Vice Chairperson of the Supreme Education Council (SEC), was briefed about the school's modus operandi and its methods of teaching. She was accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Education Minister and the Secretary General of SEC, and Abdullah bin Hussein Al Kubaisi.
Sheikha Mozah attended the students' parliament, which discussed various issues concerning students in the school. One of the hotly debated issues was the Heir Apparent and SEC Chairman H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's decision on a dress code for boys at all the state schools, including the independent schools, which will become applicable from the academic year 2008-2009.
Sheikha Mozah explained to them the moral and educational dimensions of such a decision. "The decision will help preserve the Qatari national identity, values and heritage," she said.
The decision is meant to enhance moral values and good conduct among youth and foster solidarity and responsibility, she added.
She appreciated the idea of having a pupils' parliament and urged all independent schools to create one, as well as form a parliament for all independent schools.
The school pupils' parliament, formed this year with 25 members, presented Sheikha Mozah with the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum award in recognition of her efforts for modernizing and promoting education in Qatar.
Later, the SEC Vice Chairperson toured the school's various sections, including the educational skills, science and language labs, where she was briefed on the preparations of these sections to cope with the educational criteria and objectives.
By Mohamed Salem
© Emirates Business 24/7 2008
