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EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN QATAR AND ITS RELATION TO QATAR UNIVERSITY Raymond Zepp* and Nancy Allen* *College of Education, Qatar University

ď ľ In

November, 2002, Qatar's Emiri Decree #37 established the Supreme Education Council (SEC) to direct a comprehensive program of educational reform in Qatar

An Independent School is a governmentfunded school that is granted autonomy to carry out its educational mission and objectives while being held accountable to terms agreed to in a contract. All Independent Schools must meet established curriculum standards in Arabic, English, mathematics, and science, as well as comply with periodic financial audits.

Tuition is free for Qataris and others eligible for public education. (Supreme Education Council, 2007b)

PROBLEMS FACING THE NEW SYSTEM  1.

New student-centered methods  2. Schools write their own materials  3. Independent decision-making

STRATEGIC PLANNING  1.

Professional Development

– Equipping teachers with new skills – Training, recruiting, and retaining teachers  2.

Action Research

– Finding out what works and what doesn’t

ASPECTS OF THE NEW SYSTEM  1.

Initial emphasis on science, mathematics, English, Arabic.  2. Science and mathematics taught in English from year one.  3. Schools produce their own ‘curriculum’.  4. Supreme Education Council sets out Standards and Scheme of Work.

QATAR UNIVERSITY  1.

NEW PROGRAMS

– 1-year post-graduate Diplomas (primary, secondary, early childhood, special needs) – Bachelor of Primary Education – Professional development course for new teachers

 2.

CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH (CEDA) – Professional Development workshops for schools – Coordinates action research projects – Twice-monthly Research Symposium – Seminars in Research Methods – Online newsletter for schools

 3.

AL-SHAQAB SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

– Operated by College of Education – Pilot studies and experimental workshops – Qatar University’s window on the new system

 4.

MASTERS IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

– For principals, coordinators, and others in leadership roles in education – Courses in foundations of leadership, educational policy, research methods, and educational technology – Research into leadership in Arabic cultures

 5.

RELATIONS WITH  EDUCATION CITY

– Education City includes 6 undergraduate programs from prestigious American universities.

– The Qatar University College of Education works with Education City in educational methods and research projects

 6.

The PEPP of Texas A&M University

– Primary Educators Preparation Program.

– Joint QU-Texas diploma for primary teachers – Within QU College of Education, not Education City – Taught in English – Field-based

CONCLUSION  1.

Rapid growth of educational system in Qatar provides challenges.  2. Reforms bring Qatar education into the globalization of 21st century education.  3. The government-university partnership is a unique effort in bridging the gulf between old and new systems.