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Qatar’s schools reopen today for 419,373 students, with six new public schools adding 3,600 seats, 3,000 buses on the road and 14,561 subsidised places on offer across 649 public and private schools and kindergartens.  The Ministry of Education and Higher Education said academic, administrative and operational preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year have been completed to ensure an organised and effective start.  The Cabinet praised the ministry’s readiness, pointing to continued gains in the education sector — particularly work to raise the efficiency of teaching staff, strengthen curricula and expand high-quality education in step with scientific and technological developments.  The six new public schools cover different educational stages and are spread across several areas of the country. Maintenance and renovation works have been completed at existing public schools.  Public schools and kindergartens have 17,679 teachers; private schools and kindergartens employ 25,372 teachers and administrators. To fill teaching vacancies, 210 teachers have been appointed from the Tamouh programme, run by the ministry in co-operation with Qatar University’s College of Education.  The annual educational meeting included more than 15 training workshops on educational practices, teaching methods and performance development. The ministry also honoured participants in the Qiyadat, Tamheen and Bedaya Mwafqa programmes. Approved training programmes will continue through the year via the Training and Development Centre.  In the private sector, 156 nurseries are operating, with seven more undergoing licensing and expected to open during the academic year. A further 81 nurseries serve children with disabilities in mild cases requiring integration.  The 14,561 seats made available through the private schools’ social responsibility initiative include free and reduced-fee places as well as seats supported through the educational voucher system, widening choice for students.  School transport has been reinforced with 3,000 buses of different sizes, alongside 122 buses and 400 cars allocated to students with disabilities.  On health and safety, the ministry has approved 26 food companies to supply government-school canteens and drawn up a list of food items meeting approved health standards. Schools have completed security and safety requirements and strengthened air-conditioning and cooling services.  Class schedules and student allocations have been finalised, and textbooks and educational supplies made available. Orientation sessions were held for new employees on ministry policies, plans and regulations.  Administrative and teaching staff began their duties on August 23, giving schools time to complete final preparations before students return. 

 The local retail sector is seeing a strong seasonal boost as families step up spending on school uniforms, bags, stationery and electronic devices ahead of the start of the new academic year. Bookshops, shopping centres and retailers have reported increased footfall over the recent days, as parents seek to complete their children’s school requirements before classes begin.Many families have accompanied their children to the market to choose their bags, stationery colours and designs, adding to the lively atmosphere across retail outlets.  Some sales representatives said the final days of the summer holiday have brought a noticeable increase in demand, making the back-to-school period one of the key retail seasons of the year.A wide range of products at different price points, combined with local and imported options, is helping retailers attract consumers across different budget segments.  School uniforms are among the most sought-after products, with retailers expanding dedicated sections offering approved colours and sizes, alongside school shoes and sportswear.Some stores are also promoting multi-item packages and seasonal discounts to encourage larger purchases.It has been noticed that many parents are increasingly looking for uniforms that balance quality, comfort and durability, particularly given the high temperatures during the early months of the academic year.  Lightweight and breathable fabrics are therefore attracting considerable interest.  School bags are another major sales category, with retailers offering extensive collections featuring contemporary designs and popular characters, superheroes and football stars.Lightweight and durable models with multiple compartments are particularly popular, as parents look for practical designs that can accommodate books, notebooks and school supplies without placing excessive weight on students.  Meanwhile, promotional bundles have been enhancing sales, with some retailers offering free lunch boxes or water bottles with selected bags. Such offers can reduce the overall cost of purchasing school essentials separately and provide an additional incentive for families. Stationery has also recorded strong demand, covering notebooks, pens, pencils, colours, rulers, erasers, sharpeners and cases for organising school supplies.Notebooks remained among the strongest-selling items in spite of introducing more digital tools to learning.  A high-quality 80-page notebook is priced at around QR12, while a pack of 12 60-page notebooks is available for approximately QR14, bringing the cost per notebook to around QR1.50.However, the growing role of technology in education is reshaping back-to-school spending. Retailers are promoting tablets, laptops and printers, with instalment plans and buy-now-pay-later services helping families spread the cost of larger purchases. Some companies are also offering educational bundles that combine devices with software and learning applications. Educational games that blend learning with entertainment are another emerging category, reflecting the increasing use of digital tools to support students’ skills and engagement. The expansion of technology-related purchases is giving retailers an additional revenue stream during the traditionally busy back-to-school period, while payment plans are making higher-value products more accessible to households managing multiple school-related expenses. 

Under the slogan #MakeStudentsHappy, the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched its “Back to School 2026” fundraising campaign, designed to help students pursue their education and provide the educational supplies and opportunities that will enable them to build a better future. According to its 2026 action plan, the QRCS has a comprehensive package of proposed initiatives to support education services in many countries, with a total cost of more than QR12mn. These projects include support for poor students, provision of school bags and stationery, school maintenance and furnishing, and scholarships for certain university majors. In addition to Qatar, the education-focused interventions will encompass eight other countries: Palestine (Gaza), Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Niger. More than 24,000 students will be reached, as detailed in the campaign’s brochure and online (https://qrcs.qa/BSC2). The public can also find more details and donate to the campaign via QRCS’s mobile app, donor service (66666364), home donation collection (33998898), or donation collection agents/desks at malls and shopping centres. “Education is every child’s dream and a fundamental human right,” said Acting QRCS secretary-general Abdullah Sultan al-Qatan. “However, humanitarian crises, disasters and difficult living conditions still deny millions of children around the world access to stable educational opportunities.”**media[477966]**“The ‘Back to School’ campaign aims to give students the chance to pursue their education and enhance their ability to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities,” he said. “Through this annual campaign, the QRCS transforms donations by the generous people of Qatar into a sustainable educational and humanitarian impact, by providing educational needs and supporting the continuity of students’ academic journey,” al-Qatan continued. “The drive promotes the values of social solidarity and opens wider horizons up for students to learn, develop, and contribute to their communities.” Different donation options are available to cater to the diverse preferences of donors. The options are Starter Share (stationery and school supplies for one student at a value of QR100), Bag Share (QR250), Group Share (QR1,000), Class Share (QR2,500), Scholarship Share (QR5,100), and School Share (QR70,000). Al-Qatan called on donors to contribute their zakat and charity to such a noble drive, which would make a real difference in the future of children and help build their lives. “Every contribution, no matter how small, can give a student the opportunity to pursue their education and move one step closer to achieving their ambitions,” he said. 

In a vibrant display of creativity and community spirit, Education Above All Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, in partnership with Place Vendôme Qatar, brought together hundreds of children, families, educators, and mallgoers for the “Duck Release” activation, held at the iconic fountain area of Place Vendôme. The initiative forms a central part of EAA’s 2025 “Back to School” campaign, aimed at raising funds and awareness to support children out of school globally.The event welcomed enthusiastic participation from students and staff from Assalam Schools, Qatar Academy Sidra, Doha International School, and the Jordanian school. Families enjoyed a day filled with entertainment, meals, and educational engagement, while also contributing to a meaningful cause, supporting vulnerable children with access to inclusive, high-quality education.**media[361145]**At the heart of the activation was a symbolic gesture, thousands of bright yellow rubber ducks, each representing a donation of 25 QAR, were released into the water as a sign of solidarity with children who face barriers to education. Each duck released contributes directly to funding school supplies, scholarships, and classroom rehabilitation in underserved communities around the world.“This activation is more than just a playful installation, it’s a powerful symbol of hope and opportunity. Each duck in the fountain represents a child whose future can be transformed through access to education,”said Taj Sulaiman, Director of Communication and Private Sector Partnerships at EAA Foundation. “Through creative partnerships like this one with Place Vendôme Qatar, we’re engaging the public to take part in real, transformative change.”This unique event is part of a longstanding collaboration between EAA Foundation and Place Vendôme, under a broader corporate social responsibility agreement. Previous joint efforts include the “Eid Gift 2025” campaign, which collected over 74,000 new items for children in Gaza and Syria during Ramadan.Building on this success, EAA Foundation and Place Vendôme will sign a new agreement under which the Place Vendôme will continue to support EAA’s fundraising activities, including the annual “Back to School” campaign, Ramadan initiatives, and other EAA programmes. This expanded collaboration aims to generate both funds and public awareness for EAA’s local and international projects, reinforcing the shared commitment to ensuring that children out of school globally can access education and hope for a brighter future.“At Place Vendôme, our vision is to go beyond retail, to create experiences that connect and uplift communities,” said Mr Sanjay Mehta, Group Marketing Director at United Developers, owners of Place Vendôme. “The Duck Release activation is a beautiful examSanjay Mehta, Group Marketing Director at United Developers, owners of Place Vendômeple of that purpose in action. By transforming our public space into a platform for giving, we empower every visitor to make a tangible impact.”As part of the day's activities, school groups were given exclusive access to the fountain area, alongside engaging entertainment and educational components that promoted awareness around the right to education and the challenges many children face globally.**media[361143]**This activation is one of many under EAA’s 2025 “Back to School” campaign, which runs from 15 August to 31 December 2025. The campaign includes fundraising initiatives with EAA partners in Qatar, covering everything from digital donations and charity sports activities to school-led exhibitions and public festivalsThrough activations like the “Duck Release,” the campaign aims to send over 1,000 children back to school and reinforce the message that every child deserves a chance to learn, no matter their circumstances.To date, Education Above All Foundation has reached millions of beneficiaries across 75 countries, working tirelessly to protect and promote the right to education worldwide.For more information about EAA Foundation, visit www.educationaboveall.org

Mowasalat (Karwa) participated in the annual “Back to School” event by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE).The two-day event at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) concluded Tuesday.Karwa hosted a dedicated booth that welcomed hundreds of students and families. The booth featured interactive games, puzzles and a Virtual Reality (VR) experience simulating school bus rides.Beyond the event, Karwa reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting the MoEHE with safe and reliable school transport services.For the new academic year, nearly 2,500 modern school buses are ready to operate daily, ensuring thousands of students reach their schools and return home safely and on time.Each school bus is equipped with advanced safety features such as GPS tracking systems, CCTV cameras, emergency communication tools, and safety alarms – all designed to provide parents and schools with peace of mind.Karwa also places strong emphasis on professional training for its drivers and bus attendants, who undergo various programmes covering safe driving techniques, child safeguarding, emergency preparedness, and first aid.This ensures that every journey is carried out with the highest standards of care, safety and professionalism.Mass Transit executive director Ahmed al-Binali said the “Back to School” event was a wonderful opportunity to engage directly with students and families, reminding them that “their safety and comfort are at the heart of everything we do”.“As we begin this academic year, Mowasalat remains fully committed to supporting the ministry in providing a safe, reliable, and enjoyable school transport experience for Qatar’s young learners,” he added.

Qatar Rail has announced the extension of the daily timings for the second edition of the "Back to School" event, organised in collaboration with several commercial partners at the Sport City Station. The extension comes in response to the remarkable public turnout and engagement since the event kicked off on August 19, Qatar Rail said in a press release on Monday.Under the new schedule, the daily activities of the "Back to School 2025" event will run from 4pm to 9pm throughout the week. Previously, the timings were from 4pm to 8pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 4pm to 9pm (weekends).The event, running until September 2, 2025, is part of "The Metro Events" series, held throughout the year at metro stations. The initiative is aligned with the company's strategy to transform metro stations into vibrant community destinations.Sales Manager at Qatar Rail Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaidah said: "We are delighted with the strong public turnout with the second edition of the Back-to-School event and the positive feedback we've received since its launch, as we witnessed growing interest in the early-bird bookings for the 365-Day metropass. The launch of this new product directly responds to requests and suggestions from our valued customers, as we always prioritize their needs. We remain committed to continually developing innovative products and services that make travelling on the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram easier, more flexible, and of the best value."In collaboration with several partners, the event provides exclusive promotions and competitive prices on school supplies, alongside a variety of free entertainment activities for children and families.

LuLu Hypermarket, one of the most trusted retail names in the region, has officially launched its ‘Back to School Savers’ campaign across all its outlets in Qatar.This seasonal promotion aims to support students and families by offering high-quality products at exceptional value, making the back-to-school shopping experience both affordable and enjoyable, a statement said Sunday.From early learners to university students, LuLu Hypermarket presents a one-stop destination for all academic and lifestyle essentials.The curated collection includes everything from laptops, tablets, and printers to stationery, backpacks, water bottles, lunchboxes, footwear, and more – all sourced from globally recognised brands.Among the featured names this year are Reebok, Faber-Castell, Staedtler, Wagon R, Eten, Ferrari, Wildcraft, American Tourister, Beelite, Cortigiani, Win Plus, Pilot, UHU, Maxi, Cello, Maped, Lumberjack, Skechers, Play-Doh, and many others.“Our objective is to simplify the back-to-school shopping process by offering great savings, trusted products, and the convenience of finding everything under one roof,” said a LuLu Hypermarket Qatar spokesperson.“We want families to enjoy a rewarding and stress-free shopping experience while ensuring their children are ready to succeed in the new academic year.”Adding even more value and excitement to this promotion, LuLu Hypermarket Qatar has introduced several special offers. Shoppers can take advantage of the latest electronic and gadget tech deals promotion until September 9, as well as enjoy 33% savings on 33 selected brands, exclusively for LuLu Loyalty customers, valid until August 27.Additionally, LuLu has also rolled out a Fashion Store Promotion, valid through September 6. This seasonal offer showcases exciting deals on a broad selection of fashion apparel and accessories, including T-shirts, shirts, women’s dresses, ladies’ handbags, children’s wear, footwear, and more, a statement added.