QF Schools: Safety and Operations
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Community
Dear Parents and Community Members,
Following the recent regional security events, we are pleased to confirm that all Qatar Foundation Pre-University Education (PUE) schools, including those within Education City, have received clearance to resume in-person learning. All schools have welcomed students back on campus since Sunday, 12 April.
This document addresses the most common questions we have received about campus safety, emergency preparedness, and student support. Your child’s safety and wellbeing remain our very highest priority.
Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school directly. Thank you for your continued trust, understanding, and support.
1 Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness
A: All QF schools have undergone thorough safety assessments in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), national security, and civil defense authorities. These included preventive maintenance, verification of operational systems, and full readiness checks.
A: All QF schools have comprehensive emergency preparedness measures aligned with national guidance, including clearly defined shelter-in-place and evacuation protocols, staff trained by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, designated safe areas, access to medical support, and basic supplies in shelter areas. For students with additional needs, including those who use wheelchairs or require other accessibility support, our emergency plans include specific provisions to ensure their safe and timely movement to shelter areas. Regular drills are conducted to ensure readiness, and Education City schools held their shelter-in-place drill on Tuesday, 14 April.
A: If there is an alert during school time, the school’s PA system and official channels will communicate this immediately. Staff will lead all students to the nearest designated safe area and follow established shelter-in-place procedures. The school day will be paused until the all-clear is given. Please do not come to the school during an active alert, as all staff and security personnel will be sheltering with students and unaccompanied parents on school premises create a safety risk. Instead, please remain in a safe location and wait for official updates from the school. Rest assured that your children will be kept safe.
A: We will update you through our official school communication channels immediately once we have information to share. You can help us by ensuring your contact details are up to date and by relying only on official sources, avoiding sharing or acting on unverified messages.
A: Yes. Regular safety drills, including shelter-in-place and evacuation exercises, are being conducted across all QF schools. Education City schools held their latest shelter-in-place drill on Tuesday, 14 April. Staff-only practice sessions are also conducted to reinforce confidence and readiness.
A: If an evacuation is necessary, your child’s school will inform you of the designated pick-up points through official communication channels. Each school has a specific evacuation plan, and we encourage you to familiarise yourself with this information in advance. Details will be shared by your school directly.
A: Yes. All QF schools, including those within Education City, have received clearance and resumed in-person learning from Sunday, 12 April. Schools that had temporarily relocated to alternative sites outside Education City will also return to their original campuses. The safety considerations for any temporary relocation were thoroughly assessed in coordination with the relevant authorities and QF leadership. All QF schools have also worked on contingency plans to ensure they are prepared for all scenarios. Although some of these alternative locations may not be as convenient for some of our parents, we urge our community to cooperate with our teams who have been working day and night to plan for a safe return and to ensure learning continuity for our students. This is a time for solidarity and support.
2 Daily Routines
A: Safety remains the top priority. Students go directly to their homeroom classes upon arrival, where teachers are ready to welcome and supervise them. Morning assemblies in shared spaces have been suspended for now, and breaks include supervised indoor arrangements where needed. Overall, the school day continues as scheduled, and any necessary changes will be communicated to you.
A: After-school activities may continue indoors only, following clear safety protocols and with all necessary supervision in place. Any changes to after-school programming will be communicated to you.
A: Our standard attendance policies remain in place. However, we encourage any parent with specific concerns to contact their school’s administration directly so that individual circumstances can be discussed and supported appropriately.
3 Student Wellbeing and Learning Support
A: Our schools have prepared welcoming activities and orientation sessions to ease the transition back to campus. Psychological and social support specialists are available, and school counsellors have been briefed on strategies to support students’ mental wellbeing. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher or counsellor if you have any concerns.
A: Our schools are committed to inclusive education. Students with special educational needs or learning differences continue to have access to individual learning support plans, designated support spaces, and appropriate accommodations, including support for sensory needs. All learning support services, including specialist and therapeutic provision, have resumed alongside in-person learning. Please contact your child’s learning support coordinator for specific questions.
4 Parent Communication
A: Follow the instructions from the national warning system. If you are near the school, proceed to the school entrance where staff will direct you to the nearest shelter area on campus. If you are not near the school, go to the nearest safe area available to you. Do not attempt to enter the school grounds independently during an active alert. Your child will remain in shelter-in-place locations until the all-clear is received, and you will be updated through official channels.
A: Parents will be officially informed of pick-up procedures and designated locations once the all-clear is given. Further details are outlined in each school’s designated emergency plan.
A: During an emergency, communication may be limited. Students will remain in safe areas under full supervision, and it is recommended not to contact them directly to allow students and staff to focus on safety procedures. Updates and further instructions will be shared by the school as soon as possible.
A: All QF schools have resumed in-person learning in line with official government directives, and there are currently no plans for a hybrid learning approach. If you have concerns about your child returning to school, we encourage you to speak directly to the school leadership team.
A: Please reach out to your child’s school administration or the school’s communications team. We welcome your questions, value your input, and are grateful for your support and understanding.
Thank you again for your trust in us. We are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment for every student. All our schools continue to follow guidance from national authorities, and we will keep you updated as needed.
For the latest updates, please monitor your school’s official communication channels.