Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)

Education For All

By Sarah Palmer The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and Education Above All Foundation (EAA) are providing education for children of underprivileged expatriate families in Qatar.

According to many international human rights organisations, education is not a privilege. It is a human right. The right to education is recognised as a right to free, compulsory primary and secondary education for all. As part of a partnership between Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to provide education for children of underprivileged expatriate families in Qatar, the second Ihsan School opened in Ras Bu Aboud in January 2020. Fully supported by Qatar Charity (QC) and Afif Charity, the second Ihsan School is a non-profit school for Arab expatriates in Qatar, who are unable to afford to place their children in local schools. According to HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, the opening of the school reflects Qatar’s keenness to fulfil their social responsibilities to provide free education opportunities to all of Qatar’s residents, locals and expatriates alike. During the period 2014 to 2018, Qatar's total spending on education and culture reached approximately QAR766 mn, which benefited nearly two and a half million people in 50 countries around the world. According to HE Dr Mohammed, EAA plays a significant role in accomplishing its mission to protect the right of children and youth all over the world to quality education, especially for those residing in Qatar, so that no child is left outside the education system. EAA’s mission is to make education accessible to every child in the world. Founded in 2012 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, EAA is a foundation that aims to contribute to human, social and economic development through the provision of quality education. With a particular focus on those affected by poverty, conflict and disaster, it champions the needs of children, youth and women to empower them to become active members of their communities. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has provided the building and many services such as maintenance, security and academic supervision for this school, while the school’s board of trustees is concerned with appointing the teaching staff, school administration and other operational matters. The school building has been renovated and rehabilitated in the old traditional style.