New programs to increase variety and choice in schooling options

The Supreme Education Council (SEC) announced today the launch of an educational voucher program that aims to increase variety and choice within Qatar’s education system. The publicly funded educational vouchers will, eventually, be available to the parents of all students who are eligible for public education in Qatari schools. The SEC also announced the launch of an Outstanding Schools program that encourages private international schools to open branches in Qatar. Two outstanding schools are slated to open in September 2008 and will also be eligible to participate in the new voucher program.

The voucher system will become an integral part of the national education system for Qatar, encompassing the Independent schools, the private schools and the outstanding schools.

“These programs are part of Qatar’s ongoing commitment to building a world-class education system. Qatar’s educational system is continuing to implement the principles which underpin this objective. As is evident from the long waiting lists at many of our independent schools, there is a need for more quality schooling options for parents to send their children and these programs are designed to address the issue,” said Sabah Al-Haidoos, Director of the Education Institute. “Parents have expressed their interest in expanding the number of choices.”

Over time, under the voucher program, it will be possible for Qatari parents to use the voucher amount in any accredited school (Independent or private) as full or part payment of tuition fees. The first phase of the voucher program will begin in September 2008. In phase one, some of the parents in a small number of invited private schools will be eligible to receive an educational voucher. The numbers of eligible parents, as well as the number of participating private schools which meet the approved standards, will be very small in phase one, in order to establish administrative procedures and systems. Within a few years, and by the end of the final phase of the introduction of the program, the system will include all those students who are currently eligible for free education in Qatari schools. It should be noted that the value of the voucher is equivalent to the per student financial allocation in Independent schools.

The SEC has developed plans and guidelines for Phase I and has begun initial outreach to selected private schools which are being considered for participation. Private schools that choose to participate in the voucher program must meet certain criteria to qualify, including approved international or national accreditation and a commitment to following a standards-based curriculum framework. Schools will also need to demonstrate a commitment to offering the Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Qatar history and social studies to Qatari students.

“We expect to expand the voucher program to include more private schools to complement the independent school system. This will promote equity of educational benefits and will increase the quality of the educational experience for students in Qatar,” said Al-Haidoos.
The Outstanding Schools Initiative was started in 2007 when Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Vice Chair of the Supreme Education Council, issued decision No. (1) for the year 2007 for the establishment of the Outstanding Schools Oversight Committee (OSOC). The Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, comprises senior level public officials and private sector executives with specializations in K-12 and post-secondary education, and representatives of major employers in Qatar.

The outstanding schools program is expected to open 2-3 private international schools in Qatar each year over the coming 3-5 years, beginning September 2008. These schools are required to meet the following criteria to be established in Qatar -- a history of proven success, teach a recognized international or national curriculum, and have international or national accreditation, demonstrate a commitment to involvement in the local community, and establish a reasonable fee structure. These international schools are expected to implement the same quality programs in Qatar as on their home campus, but must adjust their curriculum by offering Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Qatari history.

Details of the first two outstanding schools, which will be opening in September 2008, will be announced in the coming week. Dr. Ibrahim Al Naimi, Chairman of the OSOC and former President of Qatar University said, “the Outstanding Schools Initiative is firmly grounded in the Education for a New Era principles of Autonomy, Accountability, Variety and Choice. Increasing the number of schools in Qatar will help prepare our graduates for success in the best universities here and abroad, and expand on the wide range of options already available. This further reflects Qatar’s commitment to building a world class education system.”

The new Outstanding Schools will be invited to participate in the educational vouchers program. As more outstanding schools are opened, they will also be eligible to participate in the voucher program, thus expanding the number of spaces available for students and increasing the number of schooling options for students.

“The SEC believes that working closely with accredited private schools and the Independent Schools will, eventually, increase the type, quality and quantity of educational choices available to Qatari parents. Both programs will build on and complement the very substantial and excellent progress that has already been achieved through the establishment of independent schools,” said Adel Al Sayed, the Evaluation Institute Director.