Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded contracts worth more than QR1.25 billion ($343 million) for the construction of 17 new schools and six kindergartens in bid to boost the country's educational infrastructure.

Work is already under way on 38 schools and KGs at a cost of QR1.73 billion ($474 million)
and with these new contracts, the number of schools and KGs being built by Ashghal has now risen to 69, said a statement from Qatar's Public Works Authority.

The signing of the contracts was held in the presence of Dr Mohamed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, the president of Ashghal, aand other senior officials.
 
Of this, 33 schools and kindergartens will be delivered to the Supreme Education Council (SEC) before the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.

With the signing of the new contracts, the total value of the educational projects carried out by Ashghal is estimated at QR3 billion ($823 million), said Al Mawlawi.
 
On the new schools, Al Mawlawi said each of the 17 schools will have a total construction area of 9,159 sq m and will boast a two-storey building that can accommodate around 650 students in 25 classes.

The schools' main buildings will have a multipurpose hall besides chemistry, physics, and biology labs, two computer rooms, two arts studios, a language room and an administrative office.

The main buildings will be surrounded by a series of external adjoining buildings, covered parking lots, outdoor football, handball, and volleyball courts, he added.

According to him, the kindergartens' 12 classrooms will accommodate up to 240 children and include playgrounds and a special music room, language room, and a computer room.

The kindergartens will also have a library hall, classrooms, and outdoor spaces that include a shaded parking lot, green spaces and service buildings, he added.
 
These schools will boast eco-friendly and smart buildings that will be equipped with special materials and equipment to help conserve energy and decrease water consumption. They will also have accessibility ramps, restrooms and other amenities for special needs children.  

The contract for six schools in capital Doha and surrounding areas worth QR532 million ($146 million) has been awarded to Amana Qatar Contracting Company, while Al Jaber Trading and Contracting Company clinched a QR199 million ($55 million) contract for three schools, said Ashghal in its statement.

Al Sraiya Trading and Contracting Company was awarded a QR188 million ($51.6 million) contract for three schools, Al Huda Engineering Works won a QR168.4 million ($46.2 million) contract for three schools and Galfar Al Misnad Engineering and Contracting clinched a QR158.4 million ($43.4 million) contract for six KG units, it stated.

The work on all these projects will start in the first quarter of 2015 and is due for completion by the third quarter of 2016.-TradeArabia News Service