New app to help parents track child's school performance

The Supreme Education Council (SEC) has developed a smartphone application for parents to track their children's performance, behaviour and absenteeism in Independent schools.

Through the app, parents can also monitor if their children have done home work on time and track their test and exam scores.

Since absenteeism is a problem in some Independent schools, the app would alert parents in case their children bunk school or classes.

Every parent is being given a user name and password to use the app in Arabic or English.

Besides, all announcements related to the school will be made through the app and parents would also be able to communicate with teachers.

The app was developed last year but accessible only through the computer. From the next school year beginning early next month, the app will be available on smartphone.

The app is an instant hit at a 'Back-to-School' event being held by school regulator SEC at Doha International Exhibition Centre.

It continues until August 31 and the SEC has deployed specialists to answer questions from parents about the app.

Each school will have an electronics coordinator responsible for the app's management and to respond to parents' queries.

The theme of this year's 'Back-to-School' campaign is 'With Education We Can Build Qatar' ('Bil Ilm Nibni Qatar').

This is the second year the campaign is organised by the SEC. The app is aptly known as 'Our Children' ('Ibna Una').

Hassan Al Mohamedi, Director, Media Office and Communications, SEC, said the app would be explained to parents, including those working in the government. Some specialists will visit parents to explain how the app would work and its significance, he added.

Nihal Al Ahmedi, a technology specialist at the SEC, said the app will be made available for all Independent schools and parents.

Several parents, excited about the app, said they appreciated the idea and were eagerly looking forward to using it.

"We have a lot of questions and SEC staff are kind enough to provide satisfactory answers," one parent told this newspaper.

Told about the app, a parent of an expatriate student said he looked forward to his child's school developing such an app.

"An app like this would come in handy, especially for parents who are very busy," he added. [The Peninsula]