Ministry of Social Development and Family launches "Walk Your Kids to School" drive ahead of new school year

Doha, Qatar - The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MOSDF) has initiated the "Walk Your Kids to School" campaign, launching it as part of their "Back to School" activities ahead of the new academic year. This initiative aims to bolster parental engagement in children's lives and emphasize the family's primary role in their development and preparation for a successful start to the school year.

The campaign goes beyond the daily necessity of walking children to school, transforming it into a valuable opportunity for parents to engage in meaningful conversations, listen to their children, and strengthen familial bonds. This approach cultivates feelings of care, safety, and confidence in children, fostering their mental and educational preparedness for learning and success.

The campaign is executed in collaboration with key national entities, including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Government Communications Office, the Qatar Foundation, the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Center "Aman," the Family Consulting Center "Wifaq," and the Center for Parenting "Kanaf."

Hamad Jarhab, Director of Public Relations at MOSDF, explained that the campaign seeks to maintain parental presence in their children's lives and turn a simple daily practice into an educational opportunity with a significant impact. He emphasized that family presence is not limited to special occasions but can be achieved through consistent daily actions, positively impacting children's sense of safety, stability, and belonging to the family.

Maryam Abdullah Al Mohannadi, Director of the Public Relations and Communication Department at MOEHE, praised the campaign for its meaningful educational and humanitarian undertakings. She highlighted that the family-school partnership begins before children even step into the classroom, through being present, showing care, and staying engaged in their children's educational journey.

Al Mohannadi stressed that educational engagement encompasses supporting students mentally and socially, listening to them, and sharing their school experiences, thereby strengthening the connection between family and school. This holistic approach places students at the core of this partnership.

Noor Saleh Al Mohannadi, Director of the Communication Department at QF, expressed the foundation's commitment to supporting initiatives that foster close-knit families and the presence of parents in their children's lives. QF's involvement in this campaign aims to convey its messages to a broad audience through its awareness centers and programs, ensuring that walking children to school becomes more than a routine task and remains a space for conversation, listening, and outreach, building positive memories and fostering mental trust and safety for children.