His Highness the Father Amir and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attend official opening of QF’s Tariq Bin Ziad School

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, today attended the official opening ceremony of Tariq Bin Ziad School, under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation.

The event was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, ministers and dignitaries, senior figures from Qatar Foundation, alumni of Tariq Bin Ziad School, and parents of the school’s current students.

Speaking at the official opening of the school, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber said: “I am honored to be one of the alumni of Tariq Bin Ziad School. We are here today to proudly relaunch this school as it continues its journey of nurturing a new generation.

“Through their constant support for the human development of the children of this country, the leadership of Qatar is demonstrating its recognition that education is the path to preparing and empowering our young people, in terms of their perspectives, their minds, their souls, their behaviors, and their sense of national identity; and that knowledge and faith remain the best way of advancing and sustaining our community. This community is built on cooperation, solidarity, and a commitment to serving the needs of Qatar.

“I would like to take this opportunity, while speaking about this historic school, to emphasize that it has been renewed under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation, while retaining its original spirit and identity.”

Guests at the ceremony also heard from the school’s former director, Eissa Bin Hazza, who said: “My memories of this school will never leave me – I carry them with me in every moment.

“The value of Tariq Bin Ziad School is a reality that everyone can see, and it carries hope for future generations. Young people are the foundation of Qatar and represent the future of our nation. As educators, we are responsible for creating this foundation, because the better we are as educators, the better our future generations will be.”

Buthaina Ali Al-Nuaimi, President of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education (PUE), said: “Tariq Bin Ziad School is seen as being one of the educational edifices of Qatar, embraced by generations of young people who have gone on to become leaders and impact-makers in many different sectors across the country.

“It has now become the 12th school to come under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education. Our focus on Qatari heritage and history, national identity, and preserving and nurturing our cultural traditions and values for the young people of this country is rooted within our schools, as represented by our Qatari heritage curriculum.

“This reflects Qatar Foundation’s commitment to equipping a new generation of leaders who are capable of balancing knowledge, appreciation of their cultural heritage, and answering the challenges of globalization.”

The celebration also included a performance by students depicting the environment of the school in the 1970s, as well as an exhibition chronicling its story from its establishment in the 1960s to the present day.

Tariq Bin Ziad School, which came under the umbrella of PUE at the start of the current academic year, offers a bilingual co-educational Primary Years Programme that follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum, with additional aspects that reflect the importance and the enduring relevance of Qatari heritage.

The school focuses on providing quality education that prepares children to be future leaders and active citizens, while being rooted in Arabic cultural heritage, identity, and values, and the Arabic language, and has an academic focus that extends into the community. It currently caters from students from PS3 to Grade 1, with one grade level being added each year until Grade 5.

In a speech at the ceremony, Maha Al Romaihi, Director of Tariq Bin Ziad School, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this school’s journey in the past, both those who have worked and studied here, because they have contributed to maintaining the proud name of Tariq Bin Ziad School, created its legacy, and left an imprint for the future generations who will work and study here.

“We will continue to carry forward the message of why quality education is so important, and nurture a new generation of Tariq Bin Ziad School students.”

Included in the exhibition retelling Tariq Bin Ziad School’s history were photographs, videos, artefacts, school magazines, and furniture which was once part of its learning environment, alongside a gallery of photographs of its current students and faculty.

The ceremony was followed by the fifth edition of the Education Forum on Heritage and Identity, organized by PUE’s Education Development Institute, which celebrates learning initiatives focused on Qatari cultural heritage and national identity, and enables teachers to showcase and discuss activities that support national education programs in Qatar’s schools.