Students in Qatar have returned to their classrooms after a brief period of "remote learning," a move that reflects the efforts of educational institutions to balance the resumption of studies with the provision of a safe environment that restores students' sense of stability. This return comes amid rapidly evolving regional repercussions, underscoring the importance of this step.
On the morning of their return, student Salem clutched his backpack more tightly than usual, not because he had forgotten something, but due to a slight feeling of anxiety that accompanied him to the school gate. Salem told Al Jazeera Net: "The road was the same, the faces were familiar, but inside, I wasn’t as calm as usual." Inside the classroom, he participated in the lesson and laughed with his classmates, yet he remained observant of the details around him, picking up snippets of conversations about the "events" he hears at home or encounters on social media.
Details of the Event
As the hours passed, Salem's tension began to ease, as the rhythm of the school day took hold. He summarizes his feelings by saying: "I felt everything was normal, even if not everything was truly normal." Between classes and meeting friends, and with the teacher's efforts to reassure without delving into heavy details, the gap between anxiety and familiarity began to narrow, reflecting the situation of many students in their swift return to their desks.
The management of Qatar Academy, part of Qatar Foundation, confirmed in a statement to Al Jazeera Net that the return to in-person education has restored a significant sense of stability for students. The administration explained that for many students, school is a "second home," and returning to the campus has given them a sense of security.
Context and Background
This return comes at a sensitive time, as the region faces multiple challenges affecting children's mental health. Reports have indicated that student anxiety does not always manifest directly but rather through various levels, such as physical symptoms like stomach or head pain and sleep disturbances.
Schools are adopting a calm and balanced approach to addressing students' questions about ongoing developments, simplifying the information to suit their ages, and encouraging them to think and ask questions without inciting anxiety. Continuous reassurance about the role of official entities in providing updates contributes to reinforcing a sense of calm.
Psychological Impact and Consequences
On the psychological side, the academy's administration clarified that teachers have received guidance to emotionally support students, focusing on creating a safe and calm classroom environment. The teacher plays a pivotal role in helping students feel comfortable and stable, as balancing curriculum completion with psychological support is both possible and necessary.
School strategies include creating an organized classroom environment, employing expressive methods such as drawing and play, in addition to "group expression" sessions that provide students with space to discuss their concerns. Efforts also include organizing awareness workshops for parents and collaborating with mental health specialists when needed.
Impact on the Arab Region
This return to schools after a period of remote learning is part of a process of adaptation and recovery, where what sometimes appears as challenging behavior may, at its core, be a message needing understanding and containment. Given the current circumstances, it is crucial for schools to adopt effective strategies to support students both psychologically and educationally.
In the same context, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced the completion of preparations in public and private schools for the resumption of in-person classes, with buildings and educational facilities being equipped to ensure a safe learning environment. A training forum has also been organized to enhance teachers' professional readiness, contributing to a stable educational environment.