Doha, October 14 (QNA) -  The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), through its Administration of Private Schools and Kindergartens and School Licensing Department, has held a recognition ceremony to honor 207 private schools and kindergartens under its "my white flag" shield initiative, including 63 institutions that earned the trophy, the initiative's third and highest level.

The trophy recognizes private schools and kindergartens that have maintained clean records, free of violations and official warnings, for three consecutive years, demonstrating compliance and excellence.

Addressing the ceremony, Director of the Ministry's Private Schools and Kindergartens Department and Acting Director of its Private Schools Licensing Department, Dr. Rania Yousry Mohamed, said the event marked the completion of the shield's first cycle and the recognition of the first cohort of private schools and kindergartens.

Of the institutions honored, 63 received the trophy, 45 received the shield, and another 99 were awarded certificates of appreciation, Dr. Mohamed said.

She highlighted the increase in the number of private educational institutions honored this year, eloquently pointing to growing institutional awareness. The total reached 207 institutions, comprising 126 schools and 81 kindergartens, compared with 166 institutions last year.

Dr. Mohamed further noted that the shield initiative was launched to promote institutional excellence and recognize schools and kindergartens that make compliance with laws and regulations an integral part of their daily culture, suggesting that these institutions translate that commitment into a safe and stable learning environment, a positive relationship with parents, and responsible cooperation with the Ministry.

The shield's criteria are clearly defined, Dr. Mohamed said, explaining that they include maintaining a clean record free of violations and warnings throughout the academic year, having no substantiated complaints against the school or kindergarten, ensuring accuracy in dealings and responsiveness, and maintaining a positive relationship with families,

  She elaborated that the shield's three tiers were designed to reflect sustained compliance: a certificate of appreciation in the first year, the shield in the second year, and the trophy in the third year, provided the institutions continued to meet the established criteria.

The official noted that the spike in the number of institutions honored this year came despite stricter eligibility criteria and the inclusion of licensing-related warnings among the shield's criteria. This, she said, underscored the seriousness with which schools and kindergartens are working to improve their practices and meet the requirements governing their operations.

Dr. Mohamed emphasized that this progress is an outgrowth of the continuous partnership between MOEHE and the education sector, grounded in clarity of expectations, support, and follow-up to foster an educational environment worthy of the community's trust.

She also expressed gratitude for the efforts of school license holders, school leaders, administrative and educational teams, and the Ministry's working committees in deepening commitment and upholding the criteria.

Overall, the "My White Flag" shield reflects the Ministry's steadfast efforts to elevate administrative and educational awareness and encourage private educational institutions to operate according to the highest standards of quality, transparency, and governance. (QNA)