Doha, 20 August 2006: The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) and the Supreme Education Council announced today the signing of an agreement to implement e-Education Strategy in the Independent Schools. This agreement, which was initiated in May 2006, aims at integrating technology to support standards-driven, student-centered learning environment, is an outcome of the consorted efforts and cooperation between the two councils.

The agreement defines the mechanism in which ictQATAR and the SEC should collaborate to implement the e-Education Strategy. It also calls for the setting of a joint "e-Education Committee" whose roles and responsibilities will include the following scope:

Develop and assure adherence to a common set of principles and standards for the technical and policy aspects of e-education information sharing;

  • Develop and implement a technical infrastructure based on national standards to facilitate interoperability of diverse e-education systems;

  • Coordinate the implementation of the e-education strategy (k-12 program) in Qatar based on a set of prioritized and aligned initiatives;

  • Recommend the use of industry leading consulting service in specialized areas;

  • Form sub-committees to work on projects

  • Review and approve submissions by sub-committees on areas of co-responsibilities

Dr. Mohamed E. Al-Ansari, Manager of e-Education Department at ictQATAR defined e-Education as "a technology based framework that supports and accelerates the achievement of the objectives of Qatari Education Initiative through the use of information and communication technology". "e-Education K-12 program aim at enhancing the learning experience through ICT", he added. He emphasized that this aim can only be achieved by moving from "traditional content-driven, teacher-centered instructional environment" to "standards-driven, student-centered learning environment."

The ICT impact on the first environment is very minimal; technology is only used as an instructional tool used by the teacher. Technology is just an add-on to the learning process. Still, the teacher is the center of the whole learning process. The students' role is to absorb and recall information during tests, and ultimately pass or fail.

The ICT impact on the second environment is significant; technology is integrated in the learning process and the student is the center of the whole process.

The SEC's Education Institute emphasized that adopting the e-Education Strategy in the Independent Schools is of paramount importance because curriculum standards target learning skills such as research and analysis, presentation and discussion, collaboration and

experimentation. In the meanwhile these standards entail securing learning resources such as tools, text, interactive content and e-literary. In this learning environment, the students are subject to ongoing assessment to make sure they attain the objectives of the curriculum standards. The role of the teacher becomes a role of orchestrating, managing, ascertaining, modeling and coaching.

Signing the agreement coincides with the beginning of the new academic year 2006/2007 which witnesses the opening of 46 Independent schools. At the same time, ictQATAR will expand its Knowledge Net project to 15 Independent Schools compared to 8 last year.

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About ictQATAR
ictQATAR, the Supreme Council of Information and Communications Technology, is Qatar's leading telecommunications regulatory authority and initiator of multiple information and communication technology programs designed to drive industry and advance the lives of Qatar's people. ictQATAR's aims to promote an advanced ICT society through the development of infrastructure and skills, the delivery of e-services and education, and the fostering of a regulatory environment conducive to sustainable growth. For more information please visit our website: http://www.ict.gov.qa

About Supreme Education Council
The Supreme Education Council serves as the primary authority on education policy in the State of Qatar and, with its three Institutes, is leading the effort to transform the nation's schools into a modern, world-class education system. More information about Qatar's education reform effort, Education for a New Era, is available at http://www.education.gov.qa

Contact: Howaida Nadim
Communications Manager
Tel: +974-5873227
Email: hnadim@ict.gov.qa

© Press Release 2006