Manama: Qatar's Supreme Education Council (SEC) has urged pupils of independent schools to take part in voluntary community service.
The initiative is part of a decision on discipline and moral behaviour in schools issued by the Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who chaired the council.
According to the directive, all pupils, from the primary school level to the secondary level, must voluntarily undertake not less than 25 hours of community service in an academic year.
Academic certificates would be withheld if students failed to do the social work, the Qatari daily The Peninsula reported.
Sabah Al Haidous, Director, Education Institute, said the programme was aimed at grooming pupils to become more socially committed and responsible citizens.
The voluntary service is in line with traditional Arab and Islamic values and will help highlighting the importance of social service in Qatar.
According to the newspaper, voluntary community service has been an integral part of ancient Qatari society, although it was not taken up in an organised way.
"Many Qatari individuals were known for their social work. But now we need to give an organised form to that", Al Haidous said.
Under the initiative, pupils must be able to respond promptly to any possible natural calamities or social disasters without awaiting orders. They must also be prepared to protect the local environment and extend help to old people.
