ACADEMIC POLICY FOR THE THREE COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
(Arabic Language, Islamic studies, Qatar history)
ACADEMIC POLICY FOR THE THREE COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
(Arabic Language, Islamic studies, Qatar history)
Doha College is Qatar’s only not-for-profit British International School in Doha, Qatar, offering an outstanding education to students between the ages of 3 and 18. It has been supporting families for over 40 years, welcoming students from a myriad of backgrounds, cultures and locations across the globe into its warm community environment.
In accordance with MOE circular -11 (2021), all schools including private and community schools must include the study of Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Qatar History within the curriculum. The objective of the delivery of these subjects is to promote Qatar’s national identity, Arab and Islamic values.
STUDENT NATIONALITY:
The nationality of a student is determined by the passport linked to the student’s Qatar ID. While students may hold dual passports or nationalities, the nationality linked to the Qatar ID is the only one relevant to the Ministry of Education and all school-related purposes, including but not limited to registration and regulation of the three compulsory subjects.
STUDENT CATEGORIES:
The delivery of three compulsory subjects is divided into two student categories: students of Arab nationalities and students of non-Arab nationalities.
ARAB NATIONALITIES
Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
Curriculum Summary (Arab Nationals)
Arabic Language
Subject FS1 – Year 9 Year 10 & Year 11 Year 12
Native Arabic
Students of Arab nationalities must study the language in Arabic.
Students of Arab nationalities must choose to study MOE curriculum for native Arabic OR select first language Arabic as an IGCSE subject option.
Students of Arab nationalities must choose to study MOE curriculum for native Arabic OR select first language Arabic as an A-Level subject option in an after school slot 2 pm-3 pm 4 days per week.
Curriculum time 4 lessons per week 4 lessons per week 4 lessons per week
Assessment Internal evaluation in accordance with specifications from the MOE MOE curriculum for native Arabic will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
IGCSE First language Arabic will be examined by the relevant international examination board.
Reporting Assessment outcome will be included in the student’s school report.
IGCSE First language Arabic certificate issued by the applicable examination board
MOE curriculum for native Arabic will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
AS and A2 First language Arabic will be examined by the relevant international examination board.
AS and A2 First language Arabic certificate issued by the applicable international examination board
Islamic Studies
Subject FS1 – Year 9 Year 10 & Year 11 Year 12
Islamic studies Students of Arab nationalities registered as Muslim on school registration records must study the MOE specified curriculum for Islamic studies delivered in Arabic.
Curriculum time 2 lessons per week 120 minutes 2 lessons per week 120 minutes 2 lessons per week 120 minutes
Assessment MOE curriculum for Islamic studies will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
Reporting Islamic Studies will be included in the student’s school report.
Qatar History
Subject FS1 – Year 9 (Does not apply to Year 10 and above)
Qatar History
Students of Arab nationalities must study Qatar History in accordance with MOE specifications, delivered in Arabic.
Curriculum time 60 minutes per week
Assessment MOE curriculum for Qatar History will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
Reporting Qatar History will be included in the student’s school report.
“ The objective of the delivery of these subjects is to promote the Qatar national identity, Arab and Islamic values. ”
Curriculum Summary (Non-Arab Nationals)
Arabic Language
Subject FS1 and FS2 Year 1- Year 6 Year 7- Year 9 (KS3) Year 10- Year 12 (KS4& KS5)
Non -native Arabic
All students in EYFS are taught nonnative Arabic curriculum approved by the MOE. Students in Primary are taught nonnative Arabic as part of the languages curriculum, approved by the MOE. Students study one language in KS3 and can choose Arabic as their language option.
Students who choose to study Arabic can choose Arabic (non-native) as an IGCSE and A-Level subject option.
Curriculum time 4 lessons per week 2 lessons per week 120 minutes 4 lessons per week 240 minutes 4 lessons per week 240 minutes
Assessment Non-native Arabic will be evaluated internally in accordance with school curriculum and MOE specifications.
Reporting Assessment outcome will be included in the student’s school report.
IGCSE and A-Level non-native Arabic will be examined by the relevant international examination board
IGCSE and A-Level non-native Arabic certificate issued by the applicable international examination board
Islamic Studies
Subject FS1 - Year 12 (All year groups)
Islamic studies
Students of non- Arab nationalities registered as Muslim on school registration records must study Islamic studies, delivered in English as approved by the MOE.
Curriculum time 2 lessons per week | 120 minutes
Assessment MOE curriculum for Islamic studies will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
Reporting Islamic Studies will be included in the student’s school report.
Qatar History
Subject FS1 - Year 9 (Does not apply to Year 10 and above)
Qatar History All students of non-Arab nationalities must study Qatar History in accordance with MOE specifications, delivered in English.
Curriculum time 60 minutes per week
Assessment MOE curriculum for Qatar History will be evaluated internally in accordance with MOE specifications.
Reporting Qatar History will be included in the student’s school report.
Q. How are students categorised into Arab nationals and non-Arab nationals?
The nationality of a student is determined by the passport/nationality linked to the student’s Qatar ID. It is common for students to hold dual passports, however the nationality linked to the Qatar ID is the only one of relevance for all school purposes inclusive of, but not limited to registration and regulation of the three compulsory subjects. Students registered on their Qatar ID under an Arab country are considered as Arab nationals and all other nationalities are considered non-Arab nationals.
Arab nationalities: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
Non-Arab nationalities: all other countries
Q. If a student is registered under a non-Arab nationality, can they attend native Arabic lessons?
A student can transfer from non-native to a native Arabic class based on written request from parents and subject to availability in the required class and a successful assessment for entry to native Arabic. A student attending native Arabic will be required to sit all standard assessments as part of the curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If a student is registered as a non-Muslim student, can they attend Islamic studies lessons?
A student can transfer to an Islamic studies class based on written request from parents and subject to availability in the required class. A student attending Islamic studies class will be required to sit all standard assessments as part of the curriculum.
Q. Can the school exempt a student registered under an Arab nationality from studying native Arabic due to difficulty in coping with first language Arabic?
This is possible if the student receives an exemption from the Ministry of Education. Please note that exemption requests will apply only from Year 4 onwards.
Procedure for requesting an exception from studying native Arabic / Arabic as a first language:
1) Parents to submit a letter addressed to the Principal outlining the request and including the reasons for the request in detail.
2) Once the application is received, the Arabic department prepares an application to the Ministry of Education with the relevant paperwork, including the school’s recommendation
3) The Ministry of Education to review the application and provide a date of an interview / assessment to gauge the student’s ability in Arabic language. The interview will be held directly with the student. Parents or school staff members are not to be involved.
4) The Ministry of Education to issue a final decision on the request which would be a temporary or permanent exemption from native Arabic.
Exceptions received for students of Arab nationalities to study non-native Arabic will only apply to Arabic language and will not apply to delivery of Islamic studies and Qatar History in Arabic.
Q. Can the school exempt a student registered as Muslim on school registration records from Islamic Studies lessons?
The school does not have the authority to update religion records or make exceptions on Ministry stipulations. Parents who wish to update religion records, must approach the Ministry of Interior (MOI) directly with proof of change, such as a birth certificate, following which the school will seek confirmation from the MOI and update the religion record and the students timetable.
Q. What is the mandatory requirement on the number of years of schooling prior to a student progressing to University?
As per circular 11(2021) from the Ministry of Education, a student must complete 12 years of schooling and complete the associated qualifying examinations administered by the school in order to progress to University. The Ministry of Education does not allow schools to recognise qualifications obtained by their registered students sitting examinations at external centers such as the British Council.
Q. What are the options available for study of Arabic Language in KS4 (Year 10 and Year 11) and KS5 (Year 12)?
Students of Arab nationalities must study the Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic OR select First Language Arabic as an IGCSE option /A Level option.
The study of Arabic Language is optional for students of non-Arab nationalities in KS4 and KS5. Students wishing to continue the study of Arabic may select Arabic as an IGCSE /A Level option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the options available for study of Islamic studies in KS4 (Year 10 and Year 11) and KS5 (Year 12)?
Students from Arab nationalities, registered as Muslim on school records must study the Ministry of Education curriculum for Islamic studies, delivered in Arabic.
Students from non-Arab nationalities, registered as Muslim on school records must study the Islamic studies curriculum from the Ministry of Education delivered in English.
Q. Is it possible for parents to update the nationality of a student on school records, if a student holds dual passports ?
The nationality of a student is determined by the passport/nationality linked to the student’s Qatar ID and any changes in nationality within registration records can occur only if the required nationality is linked to the student’s Qatar ID. Parents may approach the Ministry of Interior and Immigration to link the required nationality/passport to the student’s Qatar ID. The school cannot make any updates to the records unless the process with the MOI is completed.
Q. If a student falls under the category of non-Arab nationality and non-Muslim and studies Arabic Language and Islamic studies independently. Can they sit the IGCSE /A-Level examination for these subjects through Doha College?
Yes, a student registered at Doha College can sit additional IGCSE / A-Level examinations at Doha College. Standard examination charges will apply.
Q. Who can I contact for further discussion on delivery of Arabic Language, Islamic Studies and Qatar History at Doha College?
Mr Gamal Shawkey Director of 3 Compulsory Subjects gshawkey@dohacollege.com
Summary of curriculum delivery for different scenarios
*Students of Arab nationalities must study the Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic OR select First Language Arabic as an IGCSE option /A Level option. The study of Arabic Language is optional for students of non-Arab nationalities in KS4 and KS5. Students wishing to continue the study of Arabic may select Second language Arabic as an IGCSE option /A Level option.
