Health and safety guidelines and procedures in schools were reviewed during meetings of school principals organised over two days by the Health and Safety Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The meetings ended yesterday.
The department also reviewed the Ministry’s plan for crisis and emergency management at schools and the schools evacuation guide.
The meeting with women principals took place at Al Bayan Primary School for girls in West Bay, and male principals met at Omer Secondary School for boys at Al Lakta.
The government is keen to achieve the aims of health and safety policy and meet all safety and health requirements to provide students and staff with healthy, safe, secure educational environment, said Dr Abdulaziz Al Saadi, Director of Health and Safety Department at the Ministry of Education.
The health and safety guide was prepared by a committee formed in cooperation with all competent ministries including Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Olympic Committee and Aspire Zone.
The health and safety guidebooks were prepared in accordance with advice of World Health Organization for health and safety. Requirements of eight guidelines will be fulfilled in all schools in Qatar, said Al Saadi, adding these guides include health and security guide, healthy food guide, guide of school environment, guide for school services, physical health guide, mental health guide, guide for health and safety of the school neighbouring society and guide for health and safety forms.
The comprehensive health and safety guidebook emphasises the importance of establishing health and safety committee at each school and raising health and safety awareness among students and staff, Al Saadi noted.
According to the guidebook, the health and safety committee is headed by the school principal and membership of his deputy (vice chairman) and membership of student affairs supervisor and heads of other divisions and supervisors.
To achieve the aims of the guidebook and meet safety and health requirements, schools need to understand the role and responsibility of the government entities and training of staff and students on first aid, use of fire extinguishers and setting up plans for emergency and crisis, Al Saadi said.
Al Saadi also reviewed the emergency and crisis management plan developed by specialised committee of the Ministry of Education.
