Study in Qatar - Education System

General Information

The tentative beginnings of education in Qatar were in the first half of the twentieth century when boys and girls were taught in the traditional ‘katateeb’ schools. They were taught many subjects but without a formal system. Since those early days, education in Qatar has made great leaps and developed into a system of education reaching all the way to highest stages. Qatar follows a policy of compulsory and continuous education where all citizens receive free schooling reflecting the country’s identity and providing equal opportunities to all.


Literacy

In 1985, the literacy rate in Qatar was estimated to be about 74%. By 2000 the literacy rate had reached an estimated 81%.

Elimination of Illiteracy

The first centre for adult education and the elimination of illiteracy was established in 1954. Regular classes were started in 1956 when there were seven schools with 614 students. Two ladies centres were opened in 1976. Illiterate students were given four years of elementary schooling after which they were granted their literacy certificates. In the past such students were also given incentive allowances of QR150 per month. The Ministry of Education and Culture takes care to ensure the subjects studied are appropriate to the emotional needs of the students and that those given to female students are directly relevant to women’s needs.
Latest statistics indicate that illiteracy in Qatar has declined in recent years. Statistics for 1997 show that illiteracy for Qataris over 10 years old is 13.6%, 8.6% for males and 18.4% for females.

Qatar education System

Elementary Stage: Six years


Preparatory Stage: Three years


Secondary Stage: Three years

The country has 113 elementary schools; 60 for boys and 53 for girls, 56 preparatory schools; 28 for boys and 28 for girls, and 41 secondary schools; 19 for boys and 22 for girls. Government schools provide free education for the children of non-Qatari residents who work for the public sector. Qatar also has private schools as well as schools for the different Arab communities like the Lebanese, Jordanian and Sudanese schools plus those for non-Arab communities like the Indian, American and other schools.

Curriculum

The curricula of the Primary and intermediate cycles emphasise basic literacy and numeracy skills.
The Secondary cycle focuses on preparing students for University, technical or vocational training, or for joining the workforce directly.

Higher Education

University education in Qatar started in the seventies when two colleges of education, one for male and one for female students, were established in 1973. The new campus for Qatar University was officially inaugurated in 1985. The university consists of the following seven faculties,

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Islamic Studies

Faculty of Administration and Economics Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Technology

All the above faculties have branches in the male and female student sections with the exception of the Faculty of Engineering, which is available to male students only. The academic staff have a large number of specialists from Qatar, all Arab countries and some foreign countries. The university has more than eight thousand students.

A large number of Qataris, particularly male students, attend universities outside the state. Universities in the USA and UK, in particular, have a large number of Qataris studying for higher degrees. The Ministry of Education and Culture grants a large number of scholarships to enable these students to obtain the highest degrees from the best universities.

Qatar also has a number of private colleges particularly for female students.

Graduate Employment Committee

The committee's main concern is to ensure optimum use of the graduates and their knowledge so they can best contribute to development and progress.

Training and vocational development
In 1962 the Department of Training and Vocational Development was set up to help supply the country's demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour. The aim is to qualify and train Qatari workers and technicians. In addition to several training centres, a regional training centre was also established in 1970 with the help of the United Nations Development Programme.

This centre comprises special workshops and installations to accommodate training in the following fields: mechanics, air-conditioning and refrigeration, welding and industrialization, carpentry and decoration, filing and turnery, power-generation and water distillation, in addition to two sections for sanitary and electrical installations.

The centre also trains female Qataris in the fields of modern clerical and secretarial work in school administration.

English Language Teaching

In Qatari schools and colleges, all subjects are taught in the Arabic language. English is taught as a foreign language in common use in the country. The Ministry of Education and Culture has decided to commence English language teaching from the start of the elementary stage.

Stages of Studies

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor:A Bachelor of Arts are offered in Humanities and Education, Administration and Economics and Islamic Studies. Courses last for four years. In Engineering, they last for five years.

University level second stage: Postgraduate:A Postgraduate Diploma is awarded in Education.

Teacher education:

Training of primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained at the Faculty of Education of the University, which provides an eight-semester programme in elementary education, made up of a four-semester programme leading to a Certificate in Elementary Education and a further four-semester programme leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers are trained at the Faculty of Education of the University, which provides eight semester programmes leading to a Bachelor of Arts and Education and a Bachelor of Science and Education in literary and scientific specializations. A General Diploma in Education is conferred after a 36 credit hour programme for in-service teachers who do not have a university degree in education. A Special Diploma in Education is also conferred at postgraduate level.

Training of higher education teachers
Higher education teachers are trained at the Faculty of Education of the University, which conducts workshops and seminars in instructional design and development of courses, methodology and strategies of teaching and student evaluation.

Non-traditional studies:

Other forms of non-formal higher education

Non-formal studies are offered at the Faculty of Education, which provides evening programmes leading to a General Diploma in Education and a Special Diploma in Education. The Faculties of Science and Engineering conduct professional short courses.

Admissios to Higher Education

Name of secondary school credential required: Thanawaya Aam Qatari

Minimum score/requirement: 60% in the scientific track and 65% in the literary track. For admission to the Engineering Faculty, students must obtain 60% or more or a general or religious secondary Certificate (Sciences) with a minimum average of 75% or above.

Foreign students admission

Quotas: 10 to 25% of places are reserved for foreign students.

Admission requirements: Foreign students should have a High School Certificate or a recognized equivalent. Applications should be made to the Academic Registrar, University of Qatar, at least six months in advance. Foreign students admitted on a scholarship are granted welfare services.

Entry regulations: Visas, residence permits and health papers are required.

Language requirements: A good knowledge of Arabic is required for all major subjects, except Engineering, Biomedical Science and Nursing, which are taught in English. Sometimes foreign students undertake a year of Arabic before admission.