18 New Independent Schools to Open In the Next Academic Year

Advancing the cause of comprehensive education reform, the Supreme Education Council will open 18 new independent schools in the academic year 2007-08, bringing the total number to 65. At a press conference held on Wednesday 14, Education Institute Director, Sabah Al-Haidous announced the names of all the new operators and independent schools for the forth group (Cohort 4) scheduled to begin operation in September 2007.

Researches have proved that despite the importance of the strategic planning, visional school leadership is considered a main factor for achieving educational success. During the selection of operations, the Education Institute gave important consideration to this and focused on three main topics i.e. selecting the best candidates, providing effective training for the candidates, and facilitating support through school support organizations.

“We based our selection on the principle that a successful operator is one who is capable of preparing and implementing effective school plan based on the Supreme Education Council criteria,” said Sabah Al-Haidous. “We have focused on professional candidates who can achieve educational development in their schools regardless of the ideas included in their school plans, which we regarded the second important criteria.”

The selection process began in August 2006 and continued for six months. More than 170 individuals attended the orientation meetings which the Education Institute organized. Only 76 individuals met the Education Institute rules and regulation and applied to become school operators for Cohort 4 independent schools.

Following that, a committee was formed from among the Independent School Office to check the applications. As a result, 10 applicants were disqualified for non compliance with the rules. Three more internal committees consisting of a member from the Evaluation Institute and one from the Ministry of Education were formed to conduct interviews with the remaining 64 eligible applicants. 45 of candidates were selected from the interviews. The candidates attended workshops which mainly focused on the National Professional Standards for School Leaders. The final stage included an evaluation of school plans and assessment of operators’ performance.

Finally, a committee comprising representatives from the Education and Evaluation institutes, and Qatar University’s College of Education was formed to make final recommendations for the selection of the new school operators for Group 4 independent schools.