Cohort VII marks the final phase of a six-year educational development process

In 2003, the State of Qatar embarked on an ambitious initiative – Education for a New Era – to reform the public school education system. This came from the leadership’s commitment and belief that developing the education system was not only crucial but also essential to the future well being of the nation. Although the initiative faced numerous challenges and obstacles, leaders have remained committed to creating a world-class education system that reflects Qatar’s own beliefs, values, culture and identity.

The initiative began with the establishment of independent schools – a set of schools that had greater autonomy, stronger accountability for providing high quality education and provided parental choice and variety. Internationally benchmarked curriculum and professional development standards were set up. Operators, who would be held accountable in many different ways, would lead the schools. Six years into the reform effort, the Supreme Education Council (SEC) is looking to open the final batch of 65 schools in the academic year 2010/2011, a process that began with the opening of 18 schools in 2004.

“This is clearly a major milestone in the education system in Qatar. The independent school system represents the new foundation for the schooling system in our growing nation as it works to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said HE Mr. Saad Bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General SEC. “Our world-class education system will help our youth to obtain the life competencies necessary for the 21st century and help our country fulfill its national vision based on comprehensive and sustainable development.”

The SEC recognizes that teacher and leader quality maximizes student outcomes. And parents want to know their children can better compete against peers from around the world. They also need assurances our students are getting a top-notch education measure by results. To achieve this, the SEC has set standards and criteria to ensure that the leaders and employed in schools are appropriately qualified, and seek to improve the quality if teaching and learning.

Selection of Cohort VII independent schools’ operators began in June 2009 where the SEC invited qualified, motivated and experienced citizens to submit applications to obtain school licenses. Applicants had to meet certain criteria including being nationals, bachelor degree holders with at least 10 years experience in the education field and achieved a minimum of “very good” in their annual appraisals for three consecutive years. Experts were appointed to select eligible candidates through application screening and interviews. Selected candidates underwent several stages of training.

At least 120 educators attended foundation-training programs including the goals, principles, leadership, practices, and curriculum standards, national professional standards for teachers and school leaders, and assessment. The advanced leadership program covered such topics as how to be effective leaders, using technology in the classroom, building school-community partnerships and conducting assessments.

A committee chaired by the Education Institute director Ms. Sabah Al-Haidoos conducted the final interviews. Members included directors from the Evaluation Institute, Research Policy and Strategic Planning, Legal and Shared Services departments of the SEC and the director of the Faculty of Education at Qatar University.

“Participants underwent rigorous training that was tailored to their specific needs and qualification,” said Haifa Naif, the director at the Professional Development Office in the Education Institute. “The training programs are provided in several stages, times and duration to ensure that we meet all the requirements necessary to prepare the leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership roles in the independent schools.”

Speaking about the training programs Ms Maryam Al Hammadi said “there’s significant difference in the candidates from the first time they start the courses. Towards the end of the training, they show an understanding of the educational process, its concepts and begin to envision how their own schools will operate.”

Cohort VII forms the final and largest batch (in number) to be converted to independent school status in the 2010/11 academic year marking the final phase of a six-year educational development process that began in 2004/05 academic year.

Speaking on behalf of the School Support Organization that prepared the training the programs in collaboration with the SEC, Mr. Colin Donald said, “The New Zealand Foundation team provided programs and comprehensive support to the selected operators. We also assisted in the preparation of the 5-year School Development Plan and preparation of a plan for the first year of operation of the new school. We are confident that these programs prepared for Cohort VII operators will make the school a positive learning environment that is safe, stimulating and successful.”

Law No. 11 for the year 2006 issued by Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani stipulates that the SEC is has the authority to license individuals/corporations to establish educational institutions, issue rules and regulations, and the conditions by which the license is offered. According to section 3 of the Law allows the independent schools to form boards of trustees whose responsibilities, conditions of work are stipulated by decision from the SEC.