(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Doha: The State of Qatar has a strong commitment to education. Statistics consistently highlight the State's achievements in delivering high-quality education within world-class primary, secondary and university campus settings to multi-national students. With literacy rates reaching 100% in the 15 to 24-year-old Qatari population, some may feel Qatar's job in education is done.
However, the country continues to strive to provide the highest level of education for its citizens and residents by reviewing its education system, evaluating current requirements, and considering how to future-proof the education system to meet future workplaces' needs — all while creating an environment in which students enjoy.
One such example of this forward-planning is the Qatar Schools Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Development Programme. The State of Qatar plans to develop 45 schools through PPP over the coming years.
Since September last year Barwa Real Estate Group, which is also represented by Dar Al Eloum, and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) have signed a public-private partnership agreement for projects that would benefit the education sector. This is the first public-private partnership. Under the agreement, Barwa Real Estate will design, build, finance, operate, maintain, and transfer (DBFOMT) to the Authority eight schools in different locations across Qatar. The schools will be directly leased to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) by 2022 and provide maintenance support over 25 years under the Qatar Schools PPP Development Programme Package 1. In this phase, four schools are located in the North of Doha: Al Kheesa (2), Umm Slal (1), and Bu Faseela (1). Four other schools are located in the South of Doha: Wukair (2), Al Wakra (1), and another in Rawdat Al Naisar.
The progress on the PPP Schools Project, led by Eng. Fatemah Fadhala Al Sulaiti has been rapid.
'Education is at the heart of Qatar's future goals and is an integral element in the Qatar National Vision 2030. Under our agreement, Barwa has undertaken to complete the first package of eight schools by 2022. As we celebrate International Education Day, we are already active across all eight school sites spanning the breadth of Qatar. Despite COVID-19 challenges, and an accelerated project timeline, our teams of local contractors have put in place all mitigation measures and have mobilised to each location. The positive weather conditions have enabled groundworks such as mobilisation, excavation, and blinding activities, and currently, the project is progressing well, said Eng. Al Sulaiti.
The schools consist of eight schools — two preparatory, two primary, and four secondary schools. Each of the new schools will offer dedicated and equipped educational facilities for science, linguistics, IT, sports, arts and activities, libraries, and facilities for special needs children. All the schools will feature new designs and new interior colours for different age groups.
In line with Qatar's environmental goals, a three-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) system will be implemented in educational facilities based on applying sustainability standards and green building requirements in design and construction.
'As we launch the countdown clock of 520 days signifying the start of this major educational initiative, we are reminded of the importance and core commitment to upholding the highest standards of education in the State of Qatar for future generations. We are proud to be part of building the future of Qatar's educational infrastructure as the first PPP in the State of Qatar. Since its formation over 15 years ago, Barwa has established itself as a leading real estate developer delivering the highest quality of projects across the residential, retail and industrial sectors. We look forward to handing over the schools' projects to new generations of students, said Barwa Real Estate Group CEO Abdulla Jobara Al Romaihi.
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