21 Independent Schools to begin functioning this year

The Peninsula - The Supreme Education Council's Education Institute yesterday announced the names of the third group of Independent School Operators for the academic year 2006/2007. The new operators will open 21 schools of different levels of schooling in the coming academic year.

"This new addition is a remarkable step in Qatar's Education Reform Initiative. It brings the total number of Independent Schools to 54, covering different stages of schooling," said Sabah Al Haidous, the Education Institute's Director, at a press conference held at the SEC premises yesterday.

"The operators will be responsible for managing and running Independent Schools, which will shape and frame the sentiment and mentality of Qatar's future generations.

“In view of that, we applied all the appropriate measures and procedures to ensure objectivity and neutrality in the selection process," she added.

The selection process was conducted in two phases: the preliminary application phase, in which the initial application was submitted, and a second phase for those who passed the preliminary screening.

The Education Institute received 167 preliminary applications, seven of which were eliminated because of their failure to meet submission criteria. Seventy-eight applications were short listed to compete in the final phase of the evaluation process.

Out of the 78 finalists, the Education Institute received 71 final applications, all of which were checked, scrutinised and assessed by a panel comprised of five international and Qatari experts in addition to a reviewer.

Finally, all applications were submitted to the final applications assessment committee.

The final assessment process covered all aspects of educational plans offered by the applicants, particularly their vision for school mission, submission criteria; school curricula; teaching methods; students assessment plans; student behaviour and discipline; student support services; leadership; management; employment policies; professional development plans; accountability and development plans; and external relations plan.

Applicants' experience, personal abilities and career in general were also assessed.

The selection process is computerized and all data and relevant information are coded.

Each application is given a confidential number and handled with complete objectivity and neutrality.

All finalists will be invited to attend a series of in-depth training programmes to assist them in preparing and designing school plans along with financial, academic and management plans. The training programmes will be conducted by internationally renowned experts, said Haidous.