A/HRC/44/39/Add.3 Education and Higher Education has developed the general framework of the national educational curriculum for the State of Qatar in cooperation and coordination with a variety of partners representing various segments in Society in addition to the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Beirut. Many reference documents were used to enhance the orientation of a knowledge-based economy. The best international standards were reviewed and included in the general framework of the national educational curriculum for the State of Qatar; it identified general history for study from the Primary Third Grade to Twelfth Grade on the basis of global dimensions, including knowing the chronology of world history, understanding the causes of events in world history and the role of historical figures in shaping of history, in addition to ensuring the proper balance of change and continuity through knowing the past, understanding the present, and anticipating the future. This entails addressing different events and multiple civilizations at the local, regional and international levels. In addition, the course of history involves geographical discoveries, industrial revolution, global wars, liberation and independence movements, the emergence of the United Nations and their efforts to bring lasting peace between peoples, the promotion of human rights, and globalization in a way that enhances the nature of diversity and variety in historical, political, economic, social and cultural events. Qatar History is taught with the aim to establish the values of national identity. 63. Islamic education is a compulsory subject in all public (government) schools, and Non-Muslim students in public (government) schools are not required to attend Islamic studies classes. Teachers are directed to develop alternative plans for these students to develop linguistic skills and artistic talents. The same situation is applied in private schools in which Qatari and Muslim students are taught Islamic studies without obliging nonMuslims to attend the classes while offering Islamic studies as an optional subject for nonMuslims, provided that the student's parents/guardians provide written consent. 64. In addition, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education strategy (2017-2020) aims to ensure the preservation of Qatari values and traditions while enhancing understanding and respect for other cultures through several goals, including ensuring the consolidation of Qatari values and culture as well as understanding other cultures among all students in public and private schools in different Academic stages (from kindergarten to high school, ensures the effective contribution of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to local and international events and activities, and raising the level of parents and community participation in developing the educational process. 65. In conclusion, the State of Qatar reiterates its thanks to the Special Rapporteur on the right to education and renews its commitment to cooperation within the framework of her mandate, in confirmation of the importance of cooperation with special procedures Mandateholders and the Human Rights Council. 12