THE EXPAT’S GUIDE TO

THE EXPAT'S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN DOHA

INTRODUCTION

The fossil fuel boom has elevated the tiny emirate of Qatar to the level of global player. Hundreds of thousands of expats currently live and work in Qatar, drawn to the promise of a high standard of living and plenty of opportunities in the oil-rich emirate. With the highest GDP per capita in the world, a new life in Qatar is likely to be one with a high standard of living, but with a high cost of living to match ? and this can be especially true of expat schooling options.

The tiny emirate has a Qatari population of just 300,000 people, while the rest of the workforce, 80 percent of Qatar's population, is made up of expats. It follows that the demand for international schools is high, and thanks to Qatar's liberal national policies, there are several international schools in Doha offering a range of curricula.

No matter where you're moving, few tasks can feel more daunting than selecting the best schools for your child and the questions can seem endless: What curriculum is

The quality and nature of these schools vary widely, and expats from the US and the UK will find that while reputable international-, American- and British-curriculum schools do exist, the demand for seats is extremely high. It is essential that expats apply for spots at these schools as soon as possible - perhaps going so far as to make sure that a spot at a school is secured before signing a job contract.

best? Will my child get the attention he needs? Will she be able to integrate back into our home system? Will he be best prepared for college entrance exams? Will she be safe? Can I afford it? Will he make friends easily? Will she overcome the

Qatar aims to become a world leader in education, and has made language barrier? And more.

the strategic decision to spend much of the country's sudden

fossil fuel wealth investing in a long-term knowledge economy. Control over Qatar's education

system is shared by the Ministry of Education and the Supreme Education Council (SEC), although

funding to the former is being reduced. The SEC controls education at all levels and has been given

a mandate to improve the quality of education in Qatar, as well as to establish more

independently managed schools.

In the last five years, Qatar has become a leading force in global education innovation, with a range of projects ? from grassroots literacy outreach programmes to advanced university research ? on the go. The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) has been held in Doha every year for the past four years and is intended to act as a catalyst for education innovation. In the coming years, it is likely that more world-class private prep schools and universities will establish themselves in Qatar to accompany those that have done so already.

The Expat Arrivals Qatar Schools Guide is intended to shed some light on the mystery of the school system and to give you the all-important insight you need to make your transition abroad as smooth and seamless as possible.

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THE EXPAT'S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN DOHA

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public education in Qatar is free for Qatari citizens and for the children of non-Qatari residents who work in the public sector. The standard of public schools in Qatar is quite high by international standards; although their Islamic ethos, coupled with Arabic-medium education, means that most expats feel more comfortable sending their children to one of the many foreigncurriculum schools in the capital city ? especially if the planned stay in the country is likely to be a short one. Those working in the private sector will have no choice but to send their children to a private Qatari or international school.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

For many expat parents moving to Qatar, especially for those used to free or affordable state schools in the US or the UK, private international schools in Qatar will seem simply too expensive to reasonably consider. But like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Qatar's immigration programme is such that expats able to apply for dependence visas for their family members are likely to be in top-end pay brackets. A private education is something that expats will likely have to factor into their budgets when considering a move to Qatar. Many employers do cover the cost of international schooling, and if this isn't factored into your contract, it would be wise to negotiate an education allowance with your employer.

There is a large expat community in Qatar, which means there is also a large number of international and private schools ? following the American, Canadian, British, French, Philippine, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and other curriculums. Such an intimidating range of options caters to a growing expat community which doesn't have access to the public school system. The quality of facilities, the teaching style and philosophy, the curriculum, the demographics and

In general, the British, American and International Baccalaureate schools tend to be the most expensive, with the most exorbitant fees peaking at over 70,000 QAR per year.

the teaching language vary immensely from one school to another; and while most expat parents

will choose an institution that mirrors the characteristics found in their home country schools, it's

nonetheless important to conduct a fair amount of research beforehand.

While it would be impossible to say that all private schools in Qatar adhere to a specific standard, it is also true that some top schools in the emirate offer a brand of education that can land students at top-tier universities anywhere in the world.

Because schools offer such a range or curricula, there are no standardised test results expats can use to compare schools in the emirate, although expat parents are often able to compare examination results from international schools with those in their affiliated countries. In addition, the SEC has undertaken to implement countrywide standards at all schools in the coming years by conducting independent inspection reviews of all schools ? public and private ? in the emirate. These will be available online in the coming years.

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THE EXPAT'S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN DOHA

In March 2012, the SEC decreed that all schools must offer Arabic and Islamic/Qatari history, with a curriculum subject to Council approval. In addition, no school may use resources which go against the religious, moral and cultural traditions of Qatar, no matter what the subject.

ADMISSION TO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Most schools accept children at pre-kindergarten level (three or four years old), although the legal age by which students should be attending school is six years old. Most students will finish their final year of school in Qatar at 18, at which point they can opt to apply to some top tertiary institutions within Qatar or attend university elsewhere in the world.

When it comes to enrolment, some schools are very selective, while others are not. Some schools give preference to students of a particular nationality, some require that students pass an entrance exam, and in other cases, employing companies may even reserve spaces in certain schools in advance.

For the most part, international schools accept applications throughout the year, although some of the more popular or prestigious schools have waiting lists of some years for early grades. It is best to apply for admission as soon as possible. Many schools, especially top-tier schools, will have their own tests for English or mathematics proficiency to determine which grade the child should be placed.

Generally speaking, expat parents will need most if not all of the following documentation to apply for a place at an international school:

At least two passport-sized photos of the child A copy of the child's birth certificate Copies of the passports of the child's parents School records (including official transcripts or report cards, standardised test results, etc)

for the last two or three years A letter of recommendation from the child's current school A copy of the child's passport A completed copy of the particular school's Application for Admission form A copy of the child's immunisation certificate and any relevant doctor's reports

Note that some schools will request that fees be paid in advance, and others will have nonrefundable admissions and/or registration fees. Most will require parents to fax through copies of all documentation, and then post hard copies, to confirm a placement.

If you can't initially find a seat for your child in your preferred school, keep positive. Qatar is a very transient place, and spots can open up just as quickly as they close. That said it's crucial that expats apply to more than one school so that their child has a seat somewhere at the start of the school year.

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THE EXPAT'S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN DOHA

Expats who have made the move to Qatar with no slot for their child should keep in constant contact with school administrators ? you never know when a family will have to move back home suddenly. In addition, put the word out on expat forums and networks, and use any company contacts that can help speed up the process.

TUITION AND FEES

If expats are moving to work in the public sector in Qatar, their children will qualify for admission to free public schools in Qatar. However, most expats (and some wealthy Qataris) choose to send their children to one of the many independent international schools in the emirate.

The fees at private international schools in Qatar are quite high, although in many cases, an employer will sponsor your child's education. It is a good idea to negotiate an education allowance with your employer before you leave, and to make sure that there is a place for your little one waiting at a school before you sign a job contract.

The fees charged by private and international schools will vary from institution to institution. School fees peak at over 40,000 QAR ($10,976 or ?6,900) a year in primary school and 70,000 QAR ($19,209 or ?12,076) a year for Grade 12 students.

In addition, some schools will charge up to an additional 4,000 QAR ($1,097 or ?690) a year in various registration and facility use fees. There are also additional fees for uniforms, bus services, canteen lunches and in some cases extra-curricular activities and school outings ? and much of these extra costs might not be covered by the education allowance given to you by your employer.

SCHOOL TERM AND SCHOOL DAY

Schools start between 7am and 8am depending on the institution and end at around noon for kindergarten, or between 1pm and 2pm for primary and high school students. Extra-curricular activities take place after school for about an hour or more.

Private and international schools usually align themselves to schools in their affiliated countries or to international school terms. Many will follow both the public holidays in their own country as well as Qatari holidays, such as Eid. It is best to check with individual schools. Most will publish their school term dates on their websites.

The school week in Qatar runs from Sunday to Thursday. School hours vary depending on the institution, but do not start earlier than 7am and do not run later than 2.45pm.

Most schools have on-site cafeterias where students can eat lunch brought from home, or where they can purchase a cooked meal with cash. Students are generally not allowed to leave school premises during this time.

Arabic and Islamic studies are required courses at all schools.

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