Ashghal completes the handover of 22 schools and 11 new kindergartens to the SEC

The Public Works Authority has announced the completion and delivery of 22 schools and 11 kindergartens in Doha and the surrounding areas to the Supreme Education Council in preparation for the academic year 2015-2016.

HE Eng Nasser Ali Al-Mawlawi, the President of Public Works Authority, Ashghal, took a tour of the new Omar Bin Al Khattab Independent School for boys school building, one of the schools that have been handed over to the Supreme Education Council (SEC). The president was accompanied by Eng Lahdan Saqr Al Mohannadi, Director of Buildings Affairs and Eng Abdulhakim Al Hashemi, Head of Educational Projects Section along with the Buildings Affairs staff.

On this occasion, HE Eng Al Mawlawi said: "We are pleased to deliver this new set of schools and kindergartens to the SEC before the start of the new academic year 2015-2016 to receive students. We are also proud that the authority is annually handing over a wide range of educational facilities before the start of every academic year." He added that "the authority handed over 21 schools and kindergartens to the SEC at the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic year and 20 educational facilities at the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, in addition to schools that have been handed over in previous years."

Eng Al Mawlawi went on to say that "the delivery of educational facilities in accordance with the schedules and required specifications is a testament to the concerted efforts, cooperation and continuous coordination between the Public Works Authority and the SEC to provide educational infrastructure and contribute to the development of this important sector to serve the citizens and residents." The total cost of the new batch of schools exceeded QR 1 billion and 600 million.

The schools that were handed over by Ashghal are:

The New Kindergartens are:

Speaking about the designs and specifications of the new educational facilities, Engineer Lahdan Saqr Al Mohannadi, Director of Buildings Affairs and Manager of Buildings Design Department commented "the designs, specifications and construction of schools is given great significance by the state and its leaders, as the State of Qatar attaches great importance to developing its education sector which is at the forefront of its priorities."

The School Director Mr Hasan Ajran Albouainain said: "The new school building will definitely have positive impacts on our outcomes. The building itself as well as the equipment and the availability of halls and outdoor spaces dedicated to academic, research and even leisure activities will have a significant impact on the students' performance and this is our goal." He added "in the addition to the building's location which is a rather large residential area, the school is characterized by the availability of large service areas and parking spots, which can accommodate a large number of staff, parents and guardians. Additionally, the school meets all educational regulations for safety and security which in turn promotes a stimulating and safe learning environment."

It is worth noting that the construction of these educational facilities follows the standard design model for schools. The standard type of schools comprises of 25 classrooms to accommodate about 650 students, as well as various facilities including science, languages and IT laboratories, as well as sports and art halls, multipurpose halls, gyms, libraries and classrooms in addition to external spaces comprising shaded parking spaces, playgrounds and services buildings. With regards to the design of kindergartens, the latter will have 12 classrooms to accommodate 240 children, shaded playing and activity areas, music, languages and computer rooms, in addition to a library, classrooms and external spaces comprising shaded parking spaces, green areas and services buildings.

The design of schools and kindergartens is in line with the Qatari code for people with special needs, providing ramps at entrances and exits with special specifications for bathrooms and other areas. It also complies with safety requirements adopted by Global Fire and Security Systems noting that the design of the schools and kindergartens also took into account the sustainably elements and green and smart buildings requirements which include installation of systems and equipment that save energy and water.