EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN QATAR AND ITS RELATION TO QATAR UNIVERSITY Raymond Zepp and Nancy Allen Colleg

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EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN QATAR AND ITSRELATION TO
QATAR UNIVERSITYRaymond Zepp and Nancy
AllenCollege of Education, Qatar University
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• In November, 2002, Qatar's Emiri Decree 37
  established the Supreme Education Council (SEC)
  to direct a comprehensive program of educational
  reform in Qatar

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• An Independent School is a government-funded
  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)

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PROBLEMS FACING THE NEW SYSTEM

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

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STRATEGIC PLANNING

• 1. Professional Development
• Equipping teachers with new skills
• Training, recruiting, and retaining teachers
• 2. Action Research
• Finding out what works and what doesnt

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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.

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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

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• 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

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• 3. AL-SHAQAB SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
• Operated by College of Education
• Pilot studies and experimental workshops
• Qatar Universitys window on the new system

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• 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

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• 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

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• 6. The PEPP of Texas AM 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

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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.