PSD allotted land for new campus

DOHA THE Qatari government has granted Philippine School Doha (PSD) a 10,000 square metre plot in New al Khulaifa area near Abu Hamour.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs communication regarding the allotment has been received in his office, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar, HE Crescente Relacion said.

Currently, PSD is running from a rented building in Madinat Khalifa.

The envoy also announced that the third Filipino school in Qatar is to open soon.

The new school is being set up by the Filipino- Muslim community and would add Islamic teachings and Arabic language to the curriculum.

Admissions, however, would not be restricted to Filipino-Muslims.

Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune on Saturday, Relacion said the issue of land for PSD had been taken up by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with the Qatari authorities in her December 2008 visit to Qatar.

It had been followed up by him last year during presentation of his credentials to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani as Philippines envoy to Qatar, he added.

Originally it was a quid pro quo agreement in which PSD was supposed to get a piece of land in Doha in return for a plot for Qatar in Manila.

“However, during my dialogue with the Prime Minister, he clarified that this was a unilateral grant of Qatar to PSD,” Relacion said.

The PSD, which had 2,300 students on its rolls in 2009- 2010, will bear the cost of construction.

However, the school is likely to get Qatari government authorisation to receive cash donations for the construction, the envoy said.

PSD Board of Trustees President Joseph Lozada hailed the development and appreciated the envoy’s efforts in this regard.

“ Having our own land is crucial to our mission.

We are thankful to President Arroyo and Ambassador Relacion.

Since PSD is a non-stock and non-profit institution, we are looking forward to more assistance to start construction,” he told Qatar Tribune.

Regarding the proposed third Filipino school, Relacion said, “The building is ready and everything is set.

However, some formalities remain to be completed so the teaching will start next school year.

The school will follow the Philippines Department of Education curriculum but have additional Islamic studies and Arabic language courses,” Relacion added.
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