Doha: Jasour – News Desk
As part of the ongoing efforts to empower students with special needs and provide them with equal educational opportunities according to global best practices, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, in partnership with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, officially inaugurated “Warf Academy” today. The event was attended by representatives from both parties, headed by Her Excellency Lolwa bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education.
In her speech at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister stated that the launch of the academy aligns with Qatar’s directives to promote the principle of equal opportunities and equality among all segments of society, particularly individuals with special needs. She emphasized that this initiative is consistent with the third national development strategy, which focuses on launching innovative initiatives to empower students with special needs, integrate them into society, and provide support for their academic and social success. She reiterated the belief that education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Warf Academy is the first government school of its kind in Qatar, catering to students with multiple disabilities, including developmental and cognitive disabilities accompanied by physical and health impairments, which impose severe functional limitations and require specialized health care, as well as therapeutic and educational programs. The academy focuses on developing the educational and life skills of this group of students, aged between three and 21 years, through a unique approach that meets national standards.
The academy offers a modified and appropriate curriculum for students, along with specialized rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological support services, and the use of assistive technological tools to achieve the desired progress. These services are provided under the supervision of a specialized team selected in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health.
The academy is set to be launched in five gradual phases, with the first phase starting this January, including five classrooms for the age group from three to 14 years. It will expand annually to include age groups up to 21 years, with a total of 25 classrooms and a capacity of 150 students by the 2028-2029 academic year.
In this context, Mrs. Abeer Al Khalifa, President of Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation, emphasized the importance of the partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in inaugurating Warf Academy. She praised the significant role the academy will play in providing educational and rehabilitative support for students with severe and multiple disabilities.
Al Khalifa said: “We are proud to collaborate with the Ministry to provide students with the best learning opportunities in various educational and therapeutic fields. By offering specialized academic programs that present a comprehensive approach to all necessary interventions and therapeutic measures, we strive to meet the educational needs of all students, refine their abilities, and enable them to achieve the highest levels of growth, development, and learning.”
She added: “The academy goes beyond traditional education, providing specialized and carefully designed educational and therapeutic services to meet the individual needs of students with special needs.” Al Khalifa explained that Warf Academy embodies the commitment to providing a supportive environment to ensure an effective educational experience, by building an exemplary model that supports personal growth for students, enhances their active participation in society, and equips them to face future challenges with confidence and skill, both inside and outside the academy.”
In addition, Mrs. Fatima Al-Saadi, Director of the Department of Special Education and Inclusive Education, explained that the process of selecting students for the academy is carried out through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts. She added that this process includes multiple assessment stages to ensure understanding and meeting the unique needs of each student with high-quality personal support.
This initiative is part of the Ministry’s strategic plan aimed at developing educational services provided to students with special needs and their parents, according to best practices in their care and education.
The goal is to achieve the highest levels of independence for students and encourage the private sector to provide more inclusive and specialized educational services that support integration efforts. This initiative aims to provide an educational system comparable to the best systems in the world by offering high-quality educational and training opportunities that match each individual’s aspirations and abilities without exceptions.
