Private schools provide 15,000 seats under community project

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar has launched the Community Responsibility Project, which has resulted in private schools and kindergartens offering approximately 15,000 school seats, as per Dr Rania Yousry Mohamed, the director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department. The Ministry is striving to finalize student placements before the new academic year commences, with around 3,250 students already allocated across various seat categories.

The project includes four main categories of educational support: fully free seats, discounted seats, free seats for students with disabilities, and seats for Qatari students under the educational voucher. Notably, 130 free seats have been designated for students with special needs at specialized and inclusive schools. Qatari students are not limited to voucher-supported seats; they can apply for other free or discounted seats under the initiative if they meet the specific requirements.

The Ministry has introduced more flexible eligibility arrangements for students applying for voucher-supported places, removing the previous household-income restriction. The broader Community Responsibility Project involves 113 participating schools and kindergartens, with the total number of seats remaining flexible as discussions with private schools continue.

Dr Rania mentioned that some schools have recently expanded their contributions by hundreds of additional places, including a 400-seat addition at one school and 300 at another. The Ministry has also introduced evening study centers for Qatari students in response to schools with limited morning capacity but available evening slots.

Schools are encouraged to assess parents' willingness to consider evening education. The Ministry plans to acknowledge private schools and kindergartens that make significant contributions to community responsibility through an incentive system.