The public can now share opinions and suggestions on Qatar’s new draft law regulating private schools through the Sharek platform, where the proposed legislation has been published for consultation.
Participation will remain open for 10 days from the date of publication, according to an announcement by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau in co-ordination with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE).
The proposed legislation is intended to replace Law No. 23 of 2015, which regulates private schools.
It defines private schools as all non-government educational institutions providing education from kindergarten through secondary school, and establishes a comprehensive legal framework governing nearly every aspect of school operations, including licensing, curriculum standards, staffing requirements, student admissions, disciplinary procedures, financial management, and government intervention powers.
The draft law also proposes establishing a new institutional body, the “Private Schools Affairs Committee”, which would operate under the MoEHE.
The committee, comprising between five and seven members, would oversee major regulatory decisions concerning private schools and submit recommendations to the education minister for final approval.
Its authority would extend to licensing, compliance, dispute resolution, investigations, and appeals, making it one of the most significant oversight mechanisms in Qatar’s private education sector.
The proposed law states that private schools are expected to support the MoEHE’s objectives of delivering high-quality education and a diverse educational system that meets the needs of students from different backgrounds and abilities.
It also emphasises the promotion of ethical values, patriotism, national belonging, innovation, creativity, and the use of modern technologies, while ensuring inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities, learning difficulties, and gifted students.
Under the draft legislation, stricter licensing requirements would apply to individuals seeking to establish or operate private schools in Qatar, which include that applicants must be at least 21 years old, maintain a good reputation, and have no final criminal convictions involving dishonesty or moral misconduct.
In addition, owners, managers, and partners would be prohibited from having direct conflicts of interest with the MoEHE or affiliated government entities during the licence’s validity.
The minister would also retain the authority to impose additional licensing conditions when deemed necessary in the public interest.
The legislation further introduces stringent operational and infrastructure requirements.
School buildings, facilities, and equipment would need to comply with detailed educational and safety standards set out in the executive regulations.
Schools would also be required to obtain approvals from all relevant government authorities, and school premises could be used only for educational purposes.
Applicants would additionally be required to provide a bank guarantee issued by a local bank as financial security throughout the duration of the school licence.
Under the proposed law, every private school would be required to submit tuition and service fee schedules for official approval before implementation.
Schools would also be prohibited from introducing new fees or modifying existing charges without prior approval from the relevant department within the ministry.
The ministry would retain the authority to adjust school fees whenever deemed necessary in the public interest.
The draft law also tightens oversight of curricula and educational content.
Private schools would be required to obtain prior approval for curricula and educational plans, while any modifications would require written authorisation from the MoEHE.
Authorities would also have the power to require schools to teach additional subjects when necessary.
More notably, all textbooks, educational resources, and teaching materials would need to align with the approved values, customs, and traditions of Qatari society.
The ministry would have the authority to suspend, amend, or cancel any curriculum or educational material deemed inconsistent with those values.
The requirements would extend beyond curricula to include school events, student activities, administrative practices, staff appearance, and student conduct.
The draft legislation also grants the ministry broad powers to supervise student admissions and safeguard access to education.
Authorities could also intervene directly in cases of admissions violations, including suspending enrolment activities or, when necessary, transferring students to alternative institutions.
Employment standards within private schools would likewise come under tighter regulation.
All staff members would need to meet professional qualification requirements and pass medical examinations approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
Further qualification standards for school directors, teachers, and administrative staff are expected to be outlined in the executive regulations.
Financial oversight would be strengthened.
Each private school would be required to maintain an independent budget covering annual revenues and expenditures, with all income deposited into a dedicated account at a local bank.
Schools would also need to prepare annual financial statements and final accounts in accordance with approved accounting standards and submit them to the ministry within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year.
The ministry would also be granted the power to investigate school operators, administrators, and staff members regarding complaints or violations.
Investigations would be conducted by ministry-appointed officials, while schools themselves would not be permitted to investigate serious cases handled by the government independently.
The draft law lays out measures the ministry may take in the event of any violation, including temporarily management of a private school until the end of the academic year, either directly or through an appointed external operator, with all related costs charged to the original licence holder.
According to the draft legislation, operating a private school without a licence could result in a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to QR100,000.
Courts would also have the authority to order the closure of offending schools, require repayment of improperly collected funds, and publish judgments in local newspapers at the violator’s expense.
Additional fines of up to QR100,000 could be imposed for violations involving false information, unauthorised advertising, breaches of admissions, failure to maintain records, or non-compliance with ministry directives.
Existing private schools would be granted a one-year grace period to regularise their status and comply with the new legislation once it comes into force.
However, the education minister would retain the authority to extend this period if necessary.
