Second Assalam School & its Partners Honours Students for Academic Performance during Ceremony
Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s Second Assalam School has honoured 11 outstanding students, who ranked first at the end of year examinations, during a ceremony attended by representatives from Qatar Charity and other partners, EAA, and the Second Assalam School’s staff, students and parents.
Established under EAA’s Together Project in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), Qatari National Committee For Education, Culture And Science,funded by Qatar Charity and Afif Charity, the Second Assalam School provides tuition-free schooling to Arabic-speaking children facing barriers to access education.
The students’ commendable success came after a challenging year, faced with unprecedented disruption due to COVID-19. With the support from its partners and donors, the Second Assalam School ensured uninterrupted access to education for its students. This was made possible through quick adaption to digital learning aided by free laptops and internet connectivity.
The ceremony, led by Ala’a Al Danni from the Second Assalam School, honoured each student by providing them with a certificate and gift. The school also acknowledged and appreciated its partners’ contribution by presenting plaques to Ms. Zulaikha al-Asmakh, representative of Afif Charity, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Second Assalam School; Mr. Faisal Rashed Al-Fahida, Assistant CEO, Qatar Charity; and Mr. Talal Al Hothal, Director of EAA’s Al Fakhoora programme, amongst others.
The Second Assalam School aims to organise a similar ceremony annually to ensure recognition of and appreciation for outstanding students for their remarkable achievements.
Talal Al Hothal, Director of EAA’s Al Fakhoora programme, said: “With our partners and donors, EAA celebrates the outstanding achievements of the 11 students at the Second Assalam School. COVID-19 has disrupted education across the globe, and we are proud to support the Second Assalam School through these unprecedented times, to uphold the fundamental right to quality education for every child.”
Dr. Yehia Al Agha, Principal of the Second Assalam School, said: “This school is a wonderful model for educating children who were previously outside the education system. In two years, it has made remarkable progress in addressing the unique educational needs of its students. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has recognised the school’s performance, which was only possible through the hard work of our dedicated teachers.”
Ms. Zulaikha Al-Asmakh, representative of Afif Charity, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Second Assalam School, expressed her appreciation for all partners supporting the cause of the school. Furthermore, she emphasised her belief in the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who established the Education Above All Foundation, believing that education can promote opportunities for further development and growth to transform our societies.
Ms. Zulaikha Al-Asmakh also highlighted her happiness as she honoured the students, stressing that achieving a high-level performance requires immense effort. These exceptional students are the pillar of our nation. She further expressed her appreciation and gratitude towards the school’s administrators, teachers, and students’ parents for their support towards the students.
On this occasion, Mr. Faisal Rashid Al-Fahida, Assistant CEO of Programs and the Community Development Sector at Qatar Charity, said: “We are happy to attend this ceremony and are glad to share this joyous moment with the students of Second Assalam School, especially as their success followed a challenging year for students and teachers due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
In addition, he explained that Qatar Charity supports the Second Assalam School to provide equal opportunities for all children to obtain an education that helps them develop their abilities and live with dignity.
He added that Qatar Charity would continue to work with EAA, and other partners, to ensure education for all children by 2030, in line with the fourth goal of the sustainable development goals, and to contribute to achieving Qatar Vision 2030. Especially human development, which is a focus of the State of Qatar.
The Second Assalam School is one of two Assalam Schools established under EAA’s Together Project. Launched in 2017, the Together Project seeks to identify children who are not enrolled in formal education and works to mitigate the factors depriving them of this opportunity. Through the First and Second Assalam Schools, the Qatar-based initiative aims to remove barriers to education by establishing alternative education institutes and programmes, in collaboration and coordination with local ministries and NGOs. To date, Together has provided access to education to over 2,352 children.
