{
  "id": 5257455,
  "title": "QF schools put ‘Authentic Learning’ at heart of new academic year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/qf-schools-put-authentic-learning-at-heart-of-new-academic-year",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T05:18:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/03/09/2026/qf-schools-put-authentic-learning-at-heart-of-new-academic-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha, Qatar - Qatar Foundation (QF) schools are prioritizing \"Authentic Learning\" for the start of the new academic year, with a focus on real-world experiences, student excellence, AI literacy, and engagement beyond the classroom, as 9,379 students return to school. The approach, according to Vice President of QF Schools, Mehdi Benchaabane, aims to make the time students spend at school \"time well spent.\"\n\nKey initiatives this year include the Ruwwad framework, which offers pathways for students to develop abilities in sport, STEM, computational thinking, arts, languages, and service and leadership. This framework also aims to recognize achievement and growth both inside and outside the classroom. QF schools are also implementing an Islamic Civilisation curriculum to deepen students' understanding of the region's intellectual and cultural heritage.\n\nAI literacy education is also being introduced, with a no-phone-on-campus policy to ensure students use technology to deepen and personalize their learning rather than offload thinking. The new academic year also sees expansion across QF's education network, with the opening of Qatar Academy Sidra's new campus and Qatar Leadership Academy beginning under a new identity as a collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, focusing on leadership and service. Moreover, QF is developing an Academy for Continuing Education, extending its educational offering into adult and continuing education.\n\nThe growth in student numbers is steady and deliberate, driven by demand from families seeking quality education at various stages. Benchaabane emphasized that every additional place must come with the necessary staffing, facilities, and quality of provision. Beyond academics, QF is seeking to increase student participation in after-school activities, including competitions, community service, Model United Nations, sports fixtures, performances, and student-led initiatives. These opportunities are made possible by QF schools' locations alongside universities, research institutes, cultural organizations, and sporting facilities, creating a rich environment for students to engage with academics, researchers, and professionals. Benchaabane urged students to make the most of these opportunities, urging participation, curiosity, and engagement.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation (QF) schools are placing “Authentic Learning” at the centre of the new academic year, with a stronger focus on real-world experiences, student excellence, AI literacy and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom as 9,379 students return to school.</p> <p>The approach is built around a simple objective, ensuring that the time students spend at school is “time…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}