GEMS Education Schools in Qatar Ensure a Safe Return to School for Students and Staff

GEMS Education schools in Qatar, GEMS American Academy – Qatar (AAQ), and GEMS Wellington Academy – Qatar (WSQ), will safely welcome hundreds of new students and 40 new teachers on Sunday August 29 as they open their gates for the new academic term.

As schools in Qatar continue to adopt a blended learning approach this academic year, with 50 per cent of students returning to campuses, GEMS schools are keeping hygiene, health and safety of the entire school community a top priority.

Dino Varkey, Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said: “At GEMS Education, the start of a new term is always an exhilarating time, and this term is especially charged with anticipation and excitement as our new staff and students from around the world join the growing GEMS family. Despite the disruptions of the past 18 months, we have consistently provided safe environments for our students to thrive in, and we have achieved an impressive rate of 98.6 per cent of eligible staff across all GEMS schools being vaccinated.”

During the summer break, GEMS schools underwent a deep clean and full sanitisation of the buildings and resources. 

GEMS American Academy – Qatar has been commended multiple times by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health and upheld as a model for all schools for COVID-19 safety awareness and standards over the past year.

Mark Lentz, Head of School, GEMS American Academy – Qatar, said: “We are proud of the praise we received last year from parents, and from both the MOE and MOPH regarding our exemplary COVID-19 safety protocols. We can assure our school community that we have continued to learn and adapt, and will continue to maintain the highest COVID-19 safety measures possible at GEMS American Academy – Qatar. We look forward to welcoming new and existing students back into our school with complete confidence.”

This term, Pre-KG and KG 1 will be allowed on-site daily in a move that will benefit the wellbeing and social and academic development of our youngest learners

In addition, both schools will now be serviced by STS school transport service, providing a transport option to families that is environmentally-friendly and compliant with health and safety regulation. AAQ and WSQ will be the first schools in Qatar to offer this service. 

 David Wilson, Principal, GEMS Wellington Academy – Qatar, said: “At GEMS Wellington Academy – Qatar we have reviewed, and will continue to adhere to, all guidance and precautions provided by both the Qatar MOPH and our HSE team at GEMS. A major part of this process has been to ensure 100% of our staff, both teachers and support staff, are fully vaccinated which we have achieved. WSQ supports the Ministry of Education in encouraging as many of our parents and students who are eligible for the vaccine to take it, to further safeguard our community. GEMS Wellington School - Qatar has prepared to the highest safety standards, and I am excited to have our new teachers and students back in school for the new term.”

GEMS schools return for the new term having delivered record results in GCSE and A-levels across the GEMS network in the last academic year.