The Private Schools Licensing Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, has received 17 applications since November to establish new private schools in the academic year 2021-2022, director Hamad al-Ghali told local Arabic daily Arrayah.
"We continue to receive applications until December 31," he explained in an interview. There are 337 private schools and kindergartens in Qatar, catering to as many as 200,718 students from all nationalities. This includes 40,598 Qatari students, who constitute 20.2% of the total number of students in private schools, out of whom 20,476 currently benefit from the educational voucher system.
A total of 19 new private schools and kindergartens, with a capacity of 11,352 students, opened in the current academic year (2020-2021). These include institutions offering the Qatari, Indian, Syrian, American, Ethiopian, French, and Tunisian curricula.
"Applications from schools for increasing the fees are being considered, in line with the criteria set by the ministry," al-Ghali said. "We take into account that the increase is appropriate for the parents as well, as it is scheduled over two years. Anyone who has any remarks about any private school has the right to contact the Private Schools Licensing Department via its hotline 155, or by visiting the department at the new headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatifiya," the official clarified.
"Each school should announce their new fees in February each year, so if the parents do not want to continue and feel that the fees are high, they can transfer their children to another school, as schools begin to register new students since March, and the parents will have the opportunity to choose a more appropriate school," he said.
As for the approval of teachers, al-Ghali said that his department checks the specialisations of the private school teachers and their conformity with the subjects they actually teach and that they comply with the terms of employment, prior to getting approved by the ministry. Subsequently, the school completes the employment procedures with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs for the issuance of a job license.
The Private Schools Licensing Department also conducts field visits by specialists who inspect school files, and report any deficiencies, or if a teacher is performing a task other than the approved one, and thus the school is held accountable, al-Ghali added.
A total of 19 new private schools and kindergartens, with a capacity of 11,352 students, opened in the current academic year (2020-2021). These include institutions offering the Qatari, Indian, Syrian, American, Ethiopian, French, and Tunisian curricula.
"Applications from schools for increasing the fees are being considered, in line with the criteria set by the ministry," al-Ghali said. "We take into account that the increase is appropriate for the parents as well, as it is scheduled over two years. Anyone who has any remarks about any private school has the right to contact the Private Schools Licensing Department via its hotline 155, or by visiting the department at the new headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatifiya," the official clarified.
"Each school should announce their new fees in February each year, so if the parents do not want to continue and feel that the fees are high, they can transfer their children to another school, as schools begin to register new students since March, and the parents will have the opportunity to choose a more appropriate school," he said.
As for the approval of teachers, al-Ghali said that his department checks the specialisations of the private school teachers and their conformity with the subjects they actually teach and that they comply with the terms of employment, prior to getting approved by the ministry. Subsequently, the school completes the employment procedures with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs for the issuance of a job license.
The Private Schools Licensing Department also conducts field visits by specialists who inspect school files, and report any deficiencies, or if a teacher is performing a task other than the approved one, and thus the school is held accountable, al-Ghali added.
