By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Among the major attractions at Darb El-Saai is a recreation of Qatar’s school days in the past at a tent set up by the Supreme Education Council (SEC).
The classroom simulated by ‘Teach for Qatar’ (TFQ), a non-governmental organisation gives the visitors a glimpse of the country’s education history.
Furnished with old desks, chairs and other objects, the Teach For Qatar classroom demonstrates ‘past meeting the future’ concept by showing a 3D projection of a teacher conducting a science lesson through an interactive fun experiment. The teacher explains how to make a model rocket with straws and strings.
“The activity as a whole aims to remind the public of the vital role a passionate teacher can have in student learning. The look of the class is very old, the chairs, tables and the blackboard, where a four minutes 3D film is showed. We are trying to sort of combine the past, the present and future,” Aisha Al Mansoor, Communications Specialist at Teach For Qatar told this newspaper yesterday.
“At the end, we have a very good message, that is how you give back to your country. It’s like a call for action,” she added.
The film is showed an average 80 to 100 times every day and 10 to 15 people attend each show.
Teach For Qatar’s corner at the children’s play area at Darb El-Saai includes colourful and interactive oversized letters and numbers where children can play, climb and have fun while participating in a challenging educational competition.
“Children are asked simple questions, and if they answer all correct, their names are put on the board. They get really excited, and some of them come repeatedly to play,” said Al Mansoor.
Visitors are encouraged to share their experience at Teach For Qatar and Qatar National Day on social media using the hashtag #??_??????.
Teach For Qatar is a local non-governmental organisation which provides passionate graduates and young professionals with an opportunity to join at independent schools for a two-year teaching and leadership development programme.
TFQ hand-picks graduates and young professionals who wish to give back to the country, whether nationals or residents, by providing them the opportunity to inspire students through a two-year teaching placement in one of Qatar’s independent schools.
The Peninsula
