DOHA: Four schools in Qatar have suspended in-person classes and returned to distance learning after some of the staff were found infected with the coronavirus.
The schools informed the parents of the decision to postpone in-person classes through email and SMS messages.
The schools have also advised students who came in contact with the infected staff to go on quarantine.
The American Academy School at Al Thumama stated that one of the teachers was infected with Covid-19, adding that based on “the directives of the Ministries of Health and Education, it was decided to close the third grade (C) for a period of two weeks.”
The school said the Ministry of Health will communicate with the students’ parents to determine the dates for the necessary tests, asking all third-grade students to go on home quarantine for a period of 14 days.
Another school, Tariq Bin Ziyad School, a member of the Qatar Foundation, also reported two cases of Covid-19 among the employees, who had mild symptoms.
The school said, “Given that Tariq Bin Ziyad School is committed to transparency and continuous dialogue with our students and their families, we wanted to inform you about this matter and assure you that there is no reason to be overly concerned, because the school follows all the guidelines since our return to class.”
The school added that its employees will self-quarantine for a period of 14 days, starting from September 4, according to the directives of the Ministry of Health, and will not enter the school buildings until it is confirmed that the results of their tests are negative.
The school said that after consultation with the Ministries of Health and Education, it was decided to close the Early Years Building for a period of 14 days as a precaution until it returns to service on September 20.
Zubaida Secondary School for Girls said, in its message to parents, that “based on the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, it has been decided that classes at Zubaida School during the next two weeks (September 6-17) will be through distance learning for all the stages, provided that the registration process and the handover of books are continued through special committees located in the school.”
According to informed sources, an Indian school too reported two Covid-19 cases among the staff today and returned to distance learning. One of the infected staff is from the administration section who stays with teachers in a villa, which means these teachers are now in quarantine.