Minister orders investigation into student’s death

Mr. Saad Bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council offered condolences to the family of the kindergarten child who died in school bus on Monday. On hearing the news, the Minister ordered the formation of a high-powered panel to look into the tragedy and conduct an urgent investigation.

The panel is to be headed by the Director of the Private Education Department at the SEC, and will have the Director of Legal Affairs (of the SEC) as member. The minister has directed that investigations begin immediately with the school, which must disclose details of how the “tragic” death occurred.

The SEC confirmed that officials would spare no effort and deal strictly and see if there were violations. It is the responsibility of private and public schools to ensure the safety of children. The Council has the power to impose penalties and even cancel the licence of a school if violations are detected. It also has the authority to file criminal or civil lawsuits against a school in case of violation of the laws. Law Number 7 of 1980 regulates private schools in the country. The authorities concerned (a reference to law enforcement agencies) are already conducting investigations into the matter, the SEC statement added.

The child died after she slept in the rear of the minivan, which had transported her from her home in Al Wakra to the school in Doha. The sleeping child did not get down at the school and was not noticed by the driver, who took the van back to Al Wakra and parked it in the scorching sun before locking its doors.