State of Qatar

The State of Qatar attaches great importance to human development, thanks to its wise leadership, which always emphasizes the importance of the human element as the main driver of development.
Formal education was established in the State of Qatar in 1952, and the pace of educational development accelerated until it reached every population centre in the country, for both sexes and at all stages, up to university education.
The state has established many schools, universities, colleges, and research and training centres that have contributed to developing the skills of its human resources, and has attracted many international schools and universities.
The State of Qatar also encourages the establishment of private educational institutions of all kinds, and provides them with continuous legal and supervisory support.
In 2004, Qatar launched an initiative to develop public education under the slogan "Education for a New Era", aimed at providing the best means of education for its children. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education is responsible for drawing up the state's educational policy, and for developing the education plan and supervising its implementation, to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 in building Qatari citizens capable of participating effectively in all aspects of life.

The general framework of the national curriculum for the State of Qatar has been completed, and a project has been launched to develop the reading, writing and mathematics skills of primary school students. Other achievements include expanding e-learning, developing the examination system, modernizing the adult education system and establishing evening education centres.
In September 2018, a secondary school for banking sciences and business administration for girls, a specialized school for students with autism and mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, and a secondary school for science and technology for boys applying STEM programmes were opened.

Public education in the State of Qatar follows a unique system consisting of primary (six years), preparatory (three years) and secondary (three years) stages. In 2017, Qatar ranked first in the Arab world and ninth globally in the Basic Education Quality Index.
A parallel track for adult education at the secondary level was introduced, and an evening centre was opened at Qatar Technical Secondary School for Boys. The executive plan for establishing a technical secondary school for girls was also developed and put into action.

Private education makes up a large share of Qatar's education sector in terms of the number of students and schools. The state attaches great importance to private education and supports it through educational guidance, health care, and exemption from water and electricity fees.
The state also works to attract and encourage the private sector to open international schools, provides land for them, and establishes schools for low-income expatriate families, in addition to a private technical school for students with disabilities.

The state is committed to providing opportunities for higher education and scientific research in all fields and disciplines, to raise educational efficiency and the quality of outcomes, as higher education produces graduates qualified to work in the country's development and provides a space for research that serves society. The number of higher education institutions has reached (30) universities and colleges, offering (168) undergraduate programmes and (131) postgraduate master's and doctoral programmes.
The scholarship system has been updated, and the number of students on scholarships inside and outside the country has increased. The certificate equivalency system has been modernized, a department for public and private higher education institutions has been established to license them, and a cultural attaché office has been opened in the United States.

For more information about higher education, please visit the Ministry of Education and Higher Education website: www.edu.gov.qa

Qatar University is the country's national institution of higher education. It was founded in 1973 and officially became a full university in 1977. The university currently has ten colleges:

Qatar University currently offers (52) postgraduate programmes, designed in response to the national needs of the State of Qatar.

For more information, please visit the Qatar University website: www.qu.edu.qa

Founded in Doha in 1996, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development leads efforts to achieve leadership in human, social and economic development in the State of Qatar through education and research, placing it at the forefront of constructive change in the region and making it a model for the international community.

For more information, please visit the Qatar Foundation website: www.qf.org.qa