Qatar to contribute USD300,000 in support of education in Malaysia
Delivered through Qatar Charity, the State of Qatar has pledged USD300,000 in support of educational programs for refugee students in Malaysia. The contribution aims to help these children overcome challenged faced in education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upper primary and secondary students in 69 refugee learning centers under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are expected to benefit from this fund, targeting 1,500 refugee children and youth of varying ethnicities, and 200 teachers.
As part of the fund, 1,500 tablets and 200 pro tablets with their accessories will be distributed to these learning centers by UNHCR through its education NGO partner, Jaringan Rohingya Education Centre (JREC).
“The Government of the State of Qatar is committed to supporting, via Qatar Charity, the much needed and critical intervention in the area of education during the severe COVID-19 pandemic. This will ensure that refugee students at UNHCR learning centers continue to have access to education during school closures,” said H.E Fahad bin Mohammed Kafoud, Ambassador of the State of Qatar during a ceremony to hand over some of the Tablets to a refugee learning center.
The Ambassador added, “The Government of the State of Qatar via Qatar Charity is delighted to be able to facilitate access to education, in particular for refugee children. “We wish to do our part and put in our best effort to help these highly vulnerable people in this meaningful and sustainable way.”
Additionally, the Ambassador expresses deep gratitude to the Government of Malaysia for welcoming the initiatives of the Government of the State of Qatar, to assist refugee children and youth to overcome challenges in access to education.
Moreover, Qibla Institute has been donated 165 tablets along with its accessories to assist Malaysian students to gain access to the educational system.
Thomas Albrecht, a UNHCR representative who was present during the handover, stated that UNHCR learning centers are uniquely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as limitations in resources and connectivity mean that the majority of learning centers are unable to efficiently transition to online learning for their students when schools are closed due to Covid-19.
Providing connectivity and online learning tools, such as tablets, will enable students to access online learning materials and enable teachers to access tools to provide lessons, from home.
“UN figures show that 1.6 billion learners across the world, including millions of refugees, have had their education disrupted as a result of Covid-19. While children in every country have struggled with the impact of COVID-19, refugee children have been particularly disadvantaged,” said Albrecht.
Albrecht recognized the Government of the State of Qatar in this crucial effort of keeping refugee children on track in education.
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