The nominal output of education sector’s various components has grown by an annual average of 11.3% over the past six years (2011-2016), the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has said.
This rate exceeds the nominal GDP growth rate, leading to a rise in the contribution of education sector to GDP to 2.1% in 2016 compared to 1.8% in 2015, according to an analytical report.
In the report on the growth of education sector, the MEC explained that 38 new schools were established between 2014 and 2016. The number of persons employed in the education sector increased from 26,900 in 2011 to 47,000 in 2016.
The report highlights the important role that the sector plays in the economic development process, particularly through its value added contribution to the economy and the development of a qualified labour force, which in turns bolsters the productivity of the national economy and its future growth.
The report also identifies promising sectors in light of local, regional and global considerations and determines the nature of policies and procedures necessary to support these activities and enhance growth opportunities.
The report highlights the remarkable growth of the Qatari economy in recent years and the accompanying population increase which necessitates an increase in the capacity of the education sector to meet the growing demand for educational services. The report noted that the education sector’s response to these growing requirements was supported by national policies aimed at bolstering investments in this sector to improve its output in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The report emphasised that school education, which represents a pillar of this sector, grew by 4.2% between 2014 and 2016 with the establishment of 38 new schools. Kindergartens accounted for 42.6% of the total number of schools in 2016, compared to 42% in 2014, followed by primary schools at 26.7%, while preparatory and secondary schools accounted for 16% and 14%, respectively.
This increase in the number of schools will accommodate an increase in the number of students from 268,000 in 2014 to 289,000 in 2016 at a growth rate of 7.5%. Private school accommodated 62.6% of the total number of new students at different levels of education.
The report also noted an increase of 88% in the number of university students across Qatar from about 15,300 in 2010 to 28,700 in 2016, a rise of 2% compared to 2015. Public universities accommodated around 94% of new students, an increase of 3.7% compared to 2015.
The growing role of the education sector is also reflected in its contribution to employment. The total number of employees in the sector increased from 26,900 in 2011 to 47,000 in 2016, an increase of almost 75%, which is significantly higher than the growth rate of 53.9% in the total number of employees in Qatar.
This relative high growth rate increased the contribution of the education sector to the total workforce from 2.1% in 2011 to about 2.3% in 2016.
In early 2017, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, has offered investment opportunities for the development and operation of private schools in a bid to stimulate the participation of the private sector and encourage investment in the education sector.
A total of 11 new schools will be established with a capacity of 11,000 students (1000 students / school). This significant project will have a positive impact on the education sector by improving infrastructure and supporting the quality of training and education. The initiative will also lead to the development and recruitment of a highly efficient workforce while accommodating new students flocking to Qatar in coming years as well as diversifying the education curricula through the opening of diverse and distinctive schools.