Know the facts about education in Qatar

One of the fastest-growing education sectors in the Gulf region is Qatar. After the high investment in the educational reform for two decades, the government of Qatar continues to place the national educational system’s improvement at the agenda’s top.

Acknowledging the ten facts about education in Qatar:

• Aligning with the Qatar National Vision for 2030, the main emphasis has been put on Qatar’s education. It points to make Qatar a sustainable and self-sufficient economy embraced with a massively developed human capital.
• Qatar University used to have only 173 students in the year 1977. More than 16,000 students are known to have attended the same university in 2016.
• Approximately 57% of K-12 students have got enrolment in private schools.
• The allocations for education funding are continuing its growth from $6.7 billion (2013-2014) to $7.2 billion (2015).
• Qatar has to construct at least 8 to 12 new schools bearing capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 students per school each year leading up to 2022 for meeting the growing demand.
• The education budget of Qatar was $5.7 billion for 2017 that represents around 10.4% of the total expenditure taking in the funds allocated for completing 28 schools and nurseries and the launching of 17 new ones in that year.
• In between the years, 2007 – 2014, the spending on education quadrupled from 3% to 11%.
• In the year 2015, there were 38 schools and kindergarten that were under construction. Another 17 schools were supposed to be contracted out for an aggregate value of $343 million.
• Qatar University is encountering major expansions recently intending to accommodate up to 25,000 students by this year that is 2019.
• The government plans to amplify the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and the Qatar University through contrition of new hostel, campuses for the faculties of education, engineering, medicine, law, medical sciences, etc., affair building for the students, and laboratory for science faculties.
• Presently, the construction and renovation work amounting to approximately $132.7 million is going on.
• There are still many challenges to overcome. The Ministry of Education, service providers of educational technology, and schools and universities of Qatar consistently generating the proper conditions for advanced learning and teaching for thriving.
• Qatar’s academic year executes from September to June so that the summer holiday can be put within the hottest months. Based on the teaching style and the curriculum, the international schools may make go of various term structures.
• The universities in Qatar charge tuition fees that differ owing to the course and the institution. The prime source of the scholarship funding and students’ loan is the Qatar Foundation. Presently, many students are opting for a private education loan.
• Qatar Foundation is supporting the Qatar National Research Fund that calls the shots of multiple funding programs and grants for the academics. It is a worthy resource for people looking for opportunities for research in Qatar. 
• Qatar University offers puts forward various undergraduate and postgraduate courses within seven colleges. The international universities proffer a wide range of programs that include diplomas, degrees and short course qualifications.
• The Supreme Education Council of Qatar has committed plans or the education system. So, it is investing heavily for advancing the standards. Qatar’s school system is divided into 3 levels which are an elementary school for ages 6 to 12, a preparatory school for ages 12 to 15, and secondary school for ages 15 to 18. 
• The elementary and the preparatory schools are incumbent. The learners who continue to the secondary schools have the right to select a specific academic course for the university preparation, or, a vocational course for getting prepared for the labor market.
• Qatar gives high respect to early education. So, the SEC made plans for making the educational preschool obligatory for kids who are aged 3 to 6 for developing a culture of learning via playing. 
• The nurseries and the kindergartens are fee-paying and private. But, parents in Qatar love them. The costs vary based on the facilities.
• The elementary and the preparatory school years are compulsory for kids aged 6 to 15. The government provides fund for the Qataris via the system of the independent school. Few independent schools are admitting foreign students. The places are quite limited. Many expat students are getting enrolled in private schools. The SEC still regulate Qatar’s private school system. 

The private schools have been given freedom to set their curriculum and grant the international qualifications.

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