QBS debates Curriculum Standards

12 Decemeber 2005

School Operators discussed Independent School Curriculum Standards at Qatar Radio program "Good Morning Qatar". Four Independent school operators discussed issues related to the education reform and the content of curriculum standards currently being implemented in the Independent Schools.

Mr. Ghaloom Abbas from Addoha Independent Secondary School for Boys, Nora Al-Nisf from Al-Bayan Educational Complex, Awad Al-Zubaidi from Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Thani Independent Preparatory School for boys, and Asmaa Al-Bader from Al-Qadissiya Boys Independent Primary School were invited to discuss the challenges facing the implementation of curriculum standards in their Independent Schools.

The host asked operators Nora and Ghaloom on how they can be operators and principals at the same time. Nora and Ghaloom agreed that their dual role put them in a better position to serve the school and meet its needs.

Nora said that at Al BayanEducational Complex, they have succeeded to meet the education initiative objectives easily, and being an operator and a principal at the same have helped her to improve the academic performance. The two operators were asked about the problems they most face especially in their relations with the parents and the society.

Ghaloom said that there were no serious problems with the exception of students' transport. He said all issues concerning the educational process are in place including school buildings, students' comfort, air-conditioners, and the cafeteria etc...The host reminded them that the topic of discussion was the content of the curriculum standards.

Ghaloom reiterated that the curriculum content cannot be obtained from textbooks only but should be supplemented by other educational resources to meet the curriculum standards requirements. Asked about the Arabic language curriculum and how the teachers could deliver the lessons to the students, Nora said that there were difficulties at the beginning but these were overcome through conducting training courses for the teachers.

She also said that the SEC Curriculum Standards Office is to be thanked for its efforts in improving teachers' performance. The host commented that the problem has always been the lack of educational resources, even before the establishment of the Independent Schools.

Ghaloom said the most subjects require several textbooks to meet curriculum standards and for this reason, other resources like video tapes, CDs, programs, and other textbooks are widely used.

Columnist Naema Al-Motawa has joined in the discussion by saying that the Independent Schools are meant to develop education but the school operators who were entrusted with the operation of the Independent Schools, have deviated from the proper path of the reform. She said the teachers are not well qualified to teach the standards and some Operators did not comply with the objectives of the reform initiative due to the short duration given to them to decide their plans and select the curriculum. She said that the quick transformation of MoE into Independent Schools was not helping either.

Naema said the Schools is also skeptical of the level of Arabic teaching at the Independent Schools. She reminded the listeners that Arabic is our mother language and should preserved to maintian our Arab identity. The host asked Naema if she thinks teachers at the Independent Schools have managed to use educational resources rather than textbooks as they have been using for many years in the MoE schools. Nora Al-Nisf commented that the teachers' performance will gradually improve through continuous training on the new curriculum.

She said the Education Institute should prepare more teachers and should work closely with Qatar University. She added that graduate teachers should also continue training in the schools, and should be given sufficient time to improve themselves. The host opined this all comes at the expense of our students.

When asked what are the sources that can be used to supplement curriculum contents besides the textbooks, Operator Ghaloom said that approved educational materials in CDs, films, and programs prepared by Educational developers are being used. He said that School Support Organization team is present in the school to provide training and educational support to teachers. He noted that results of students' educational assessment will be issued soon and will give clear indications of schools' performance.

Another caller said that education reform has transformed our education system and culture. Nora Al-Nisf has been asked if she has reviewed other Independent school curricula. She said " yes we are exchanging our curricula with other schools, and we have conducted several workshops for Independent Schools staff. We believe this year schools are more cooperative and supportive of each other."

Operators Awad Zubaidi and Asmaa Al Baker were also interviewed. Asmaa was asked to comment on the discussion and state their challenges. She said that the main challenge is the selection and recruitment of qualified teachers. She added, that they are generally satisfied with their performance. Awad Zubaidi said the curriculum standards is innovative and is set to meet the students' individual needs and challenge the teachers. He commented that the Independent Schools still use the MoE curriculum in Islamic studies.

Columnist Mariam Al-Khater, who is well known of her comments on the education reform initiative, participated as well and said that the education reform has been a public demand for a long time and it is necessary to develop education but we have reservations on those responsible of the implementation process and the Supreme Education Council (SEC) performance. She said she has written about this issue in detail claiming that the SEC is responsible for people's resistance of the reform. She also opined it was unwise move to speed up the implementation process without having a solid infrastructure in places.

"Operators should have been given enough time to start well", she added. "Most operators were forced to adopt international curriculum because they did not have time to select their own curriculum. Teachers should be prepared well and the University training is not sufficient. The Education Institute had to bear the responsibility of training more teachers." Mariam also said that qualified Qatari teachers faced pressure and had to work long hours to attend the training courses which violates local labor laws and human rights. On the other hand, Mariam said, the curriculum contents should be supervised to ensure operators compliance with SEC principles.

Operator Asmaa was asked to comment on Mariam opinions. She said they have started training the teachers before the beginning of school academic year and they had succeeded to improve teachers performance.

Mariam said that some teachers have deserted the teaching profession and the Education Institute should question those operators who recruit foreign teachers with heavy accents that might affect students language fluency. The host closed the discussion by saying it is interesting and to be continued soon.