Education policy in Qatar is committed to respecting the heritage and conservative personality of the people. It aims to enhance development of school curricula and educational systems in line with the achievements of the times, the latest technological advances and modern educational experiences.
Regular government education was introduced in 1952 with the establishment of the first primary school for boys. which had 240 students and 6 teachers. In 1956 the basis of modern educational systems were formulated to outline the three stages of school education: primary, preparatory and secondary. In the following year the regulations of school education were drafted. leading to the establishment of the first ministry of education, named at the time Wizarat Al-Marif. The first group of regular students completed their primary stage education in 1958.
Since then education continued to develop and spread to cover all populated centers throughout the country and cater for boys and girls alike. Specialized and technical schools, as well as the University of Qatar, which now comprises 7 faculties, were established.

 

Basic Education:

Qatar follows a policy of compulsory education until the end of the elementary stage and free education to all citizens. Basic education consists of the following stages:

• Elementary Stage: Six years
• Preparatory Stage: Three years
• Secondary Stage: Three years
  

Qatar has 113 elementary schools; 60 for boys and 53 for girls, 56 preparatory schools; 28 for boys and 28 for girls, and 41 secondary schools; 19 for boys and 22 for girls. Government schools provide free education for the children of non-Qatari residents who work for the public sector. Qatar also has private schools as well as schools for the different Arab communities like the Lebanese, Jordanian and Sudanese schools plus those for non-Arab communities like the Indian, American and other schools.

Private Education:

The Ministry supports private education by providing private schools with textbooks, stationery, health services and free electricity and water, and by providing a Qatari headmistress and a teacher for every kindergarten. As a result of this support, private schools have become more popular.

Literacy & Adult Education:

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education undertakes direct supervision over literacy and adult education. The number of students of literacy and adult education programs amounted to 3271 in 1999.

Special Education:

Special education started in 1974 with one class at one of Doha's primary schools. In 1980 there were three classes supervised by 8 teachers. A special education institute for boys was inaugurated in 1981. Another one for girls followed in 1982. The two schools were later separately named School of Hope for Boys and School of Hope for Girls.
Two mental health schools, one for boys and one for girls; and two audio-visual schools, one for boys and one for girls were established. In December 1997 the new premises of the two mental health and audio-visual schools for boys were inaugurated.

Scientific Secondary Schools:

Within the context of a new educational strategy seeking to develop secondary education, two scientific secondary schools, one for boys and one for girls, were opened. The two schools are intended to upgrade teaching and evaluation techniques.

Language Institute:

Established in 1973, the Language Institute receives students from among the employees of the government and semi-official organizations to improve their standards in Arabic, English and French languages. The Institute is equipped with the latest audio and visual educational aids.

Department of Training & Vocational Development:

Since its establishment in 1962, the Dept. of Training and Vocational Development has been working to supply the country's requirements of national skilled and semi-skilled workforce. Several training courses are being conducted to train Qatari female employees in the field of office and school secretarial works.

Ministry of Education

Qatar University

University education started in 1973 with the establishment of the two Faculties of Education at the university of Qatar. They consisted of two separate campuses one for boys and one for girls. Today the University of Qatar has 7 faculties: Education, Humanities and Social Studies, Science, Shari'a and Islamic Studies, Engineering, Administration and Economics, and Technology.

The University of Qatar offers bachelor's degrees in all of its colleges. In addition, the University offers postgraduate diplomas in some selected programs.

Given the importance of graduate programs, the University recently initiated master's degrees in programs like Business Administration and Environmental Studies.

Two semesters, Fall and Spring, make up the Academic Year of the University. Fall begins in September and ends in January. Spring begins in February and ends in June. In addition, the University offers intensive summer courses.

The medium of instructions at the University are Arabic and English. Arabic is the medium in the education, arts and social sciences programs. English is the medium in the natural sciences, engineering and business programs.

All programs offered by the University are based on the credit-hour system. The total number of credits required for graduation varies from college to college but generally it ranges from 125 to 139 credit hours.


link : Qatar University web site

Qatar Foundation

The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, non-profit chartered organization, founded in 1995, which aims to develop and utilize human potential through a network of centers and a unique Education City, with branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities.


link : Qatar Foundation Information and links

Supreme Education Council

"Education for a New Era"
Established by Emiri decree #37 in November 2002, the Supreme Education Council (SEC) directs the nation’s education policy. It plays an integral role in the development and implementation of the education reform effort, including the work of two Institutes described below that are directly responsible for the reform’s success:

The Education Institute oversees and supports the Independent Schools.

The Evaluation Institute develops and conducts testing of students, monitors student learning and evaluates school performance.

The Higher Education Institute advises individuals about career options and opportunities for higher education in Qatar and abroad, and administers scholarships and grants.

There are also plans for establishing a Post-Secondary Education and Career Development Institute. It would advise individuals about career options and opportunities for higher education in Qatar and abroad, and would administer scholarships and grants. More information about this Institute will be posted on this website at a later date.


link : Supreme Education Council