MUSCAT : Students at Al Tarbiya Al Fikhriya School, Al Khuwair, celebrated Qaranqasho with schoolmates and teachers supported by Apollo Hospitals, Sultanate of Oman, in coordination with the Ministry of Education.

The spirit was high as they played on the air castle, greeted cartoon characters, and enjoyed the Qaranqasho song.  They eagerly awaited their turn for face painting and henna.

Huda al Araimi from the Ministry of Education said, “I like the activities and enjoyed the smiles on the students’ faces.  I think it is a good gesture from Apollo Hospitals Muscat and I hope this cooperation continues to grow.”

Al Tarbiya Al Fikhriya, (Intellectual Education), is a school for intellectually challenged children.  The students enroll at the age of six years and continue till the ninth grade, that is upto 17 years of age.

The school was established in 1984 with 69 students, but now at their new premises in Al Khuwair the strength has gone up to 195 students.  

“We always have a corporate event during the holy month of Ramadhan, but this year we decided to have a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and go straight into the community and make a difference.  We are grateful to the Ministry of Education for giving us this wonderful opportunity,” said Debraj Sanyal, COO, Apollo Hospitals Muscat.

Throughout the event Apollo’s medical team was present ready to provide consultation and support led by Dr Shakeel Moinuddin, Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology.

The journey of Ramadhan 2023 for Apollo Hospitals, is determined to serve the society by connecting healthcare and community, as Apollo considers the prime responsibility is to provide high quality clinical care to all the patients by developing robust quality standards as well as  by using expert diagnoses and medical treatment plans, in addition to enhanced infection and safety protocols to render the most appropriate treatment.

All the teachers at the co-education school are qualified in special education.  

“The children are taught in academics and in adaptive behavior; in addition teachers develop individual plans for each child as the development varies from child to child depending on the challenges.  We have students here from Muscat, North Al Batinah and Al Dhkhiliya, but there are families from other governorates such as Dhofar, who stay in Muscat so that their child can benefit from the education,” explained Hashim Said al Ameri, Principal, Al Tarbiya Al Fikhriya School.

The enthusiastic children of all age groups expressed their happiness and gratitude.

The principal also thanked the Apollo Hospital for the innovative idea and support for the celebration with entertainment, games and goodies marking the true spirit of Qaranqasho.

Ameera Hamad al Badi, Human Resources Manager at Apollo Super Speciality Hospital explained how significant the day is, “Qaranqasho is a tradition in Oman on the 15th of Ramadhan.  It has been a pleasure and an honour for us to be associated with these lovely children and to be part of their happiness. Through this initiative the children who, as we saw, found great happiness in small details which we sincerely hope stays with them for long term.” 

From the seventh grade to ninth grade the students go through vocational training in areas such as agriculture, sewing, life skills and managing business office.