Doha, November 09 (QNA) - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), represented by the Private Education Affairs Sector, on Monday announced the release of the first edition of the regulatory guide for providing a stable and sustainable school environment in private schools and kindergartens.

The guide aims to strengthen institutional stability, clarify regulatory requirements, safeguard the rights of students, parents and employees, and improve the quality of the educational process.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs Omar Abdulaziz Al Namaa said the guide served as a practical reference aimed at reducing violations and strengthening compliance with legislation. He noted that its preparation was based on an analysis of observations and violations recorded over the past eight to nine years.

He explained that the guide covers various aspects of school operations, including administration, human resources, financial and academic affairs, security and safety, student conduct, national identity, assessment and accreditation.

He stressed the importance of strengthening internal oversight and establishing principles of transparency and a gradual approach to addressing violations, while prioritizing corrective action and students' interests.

He also urged school administrations to properly orient new teachers and familiarize them with the policies and regulations governing their work to help prevent individual violations.

For her part, Director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department and Acting Director of the Private Licensing Department Dr. Rania Yousri Mohamed said the guide comprises 10 chapters covering guidelines, violations and the penalties associated with them.

She emphasized that its purpose was not to impose penalties, but rather to guide schools in correcting practices and strengthening compliance with applicable regulations and requirements.

She noted that penalties are imposed in accordance with Law No. 23 of 2015 on the Regulation of Private Schools.

They range from written warnings and suspension of financial or in-kind benefits to deductions from bank guarantees, and, in serious cases, placing a school under the Ministry's administration or revoking its license.

A period of no less than one academic year is set to monitor the impact of the measure.

The Director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department also noted that 240 private schools, out of 354 nationwide, had been honored under "My White Flag" Award for having no recorded violations.

She described this as a positive indicator of compliance across the private education sector. (QNA)