First Induction Meeting for Owners and Principals of Private Schools and Kindergartens.

1. First Induction Meeting forOwners and Principals of Private Schools and Kindergartens. October 2009

2. The Private Schools Office (PSO) is responsible for licensing Arab, International and expatriate Private schools as well as nurseries and KGs operating in Qatar, and monitoring their compliance. In addition, the PSO is responsible for the Voucher Program that promotes competition among Private Schools, therefore increasing the quality of education. Private Schools Office

3. Standards based on the Ministerial Decision No. (8) of 2009 • Starting from the academic year 2009/2010, schools must provide evidence of implementing the Qatari curriculum standards, or an internationally accredited curriculum; • Teach Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatari history starting from the academic year 2010/2011, if schools teach an international curriculum; • Comply with the school building specifications set forth in SEC policy; • Provide care for students with learning difficulties and disabilities; • Comply with SEC policies and regulations pertaining to the forming of an elected Board of Trustees; • Take the necessary measures to acquire local or international accreditation; • Start the process of obtaining professional licensing of teaching and administrative staff from the appropriate entity of the Supreme Education Council; • Adhere to the requirements, aspects and components of the Qatari assessment system. (collecting data and releasing results and reports as required by the Evaluation Institute.)

4. Monitoring Private Schools- Academic Monitoring Implementation of the Qatari Curriculum Standards: • Schools should communicate with the Curriculum Standards Office of the SEC and sign an agreement, to acquire the Qatari Curriculum Standards documentation. • The schools educational plan will be requested, and will be reviewed. • Documents will also be requested to show evidence of the implementation of the curriculum standards and the assessment policy. • Student academic achievement will be measured by the National Comprehensive Examinations. Implementing an Internationally Accredited Curriculum: • Schools need to provide evidence that demonstrates that they implement an International Curriculum accredited by the Evaluation Institute of the SEC. • Education plans and assessment policy will be requested, and will be reviewed.

5. Monitoring Private Schools-School Buildings • The Shared Services Department of the SEC will monitor schools to assure their compliance with specifications and requirements of schools buildings, by the beginning of the academic year 2010-2011. • Schools will be provided with information about the requirements and conditions of school buildings where schools need to comply with them. • The Shared Services Department will conduct a comprehensive survey for all school buildings and prepare reports about any weaknesses . • The reports will be sent to schools, who will be asked to develop action plans to address weakness in buildings.

6. Monitoring Private Schools- Board of Trustees • All schools should form an elected Board of Trustees, to represent parents and the school community and their interests. The school is accountable to the Board. • The Board of Trustees (BOT) is a distinct community-based organization where all members perform their tasks on a voluntary basis. • Roles of the Board of Trustees: • Supporting school goals and purposes. • Provide advice and guidance to the school principal. • Monitoring school performance and contributing to the quality assurance system. • Playing a key role in solving problems raised by staff members or parents. • Schools should provide the PSO with the names of their BOT members.

7. Monitoring Private Schools- Students with Additional Educational Support Needs(learning difficulties &disabilities) Those Private schools that have students with Additional Educational Support Needs (AESN) need to comply with the conditions set forth in the SEC policy in terms of teaching those students. Schools should provide the following information to the SEC: • Assurance that the school curriculum takes into account and meets the diverse needs, interests and learning styles of those students and celebrates their achievements and progress. • A description of the educational and social programs offered to students with additional educational support needs. • A description of the types of facilities and services offered to students with additional educational support needs.

8. General administrative points • School fees. • School hours/day. • Customs clearance.

9. General Guidelines • The school e-mail will be used as a means of providing you with correspondence and circulars. Your school will be responsible for responding to all items that are contained in e-mails. • If there is a change in school contact information, the school should inform the PSO as soon as possible. • Communication with the PSO must to be documented either through written letters or e-mail.

10. Private Schools Contact Information You are kindly requested to send an e-mail not later than 22-10-2009 to the following e-mail address: privateschool@sec.gov.qa containing the following information: The Private Schools Office will send school information forms in Excel format to your school e-mail, which need to be completed and returned electronically with a hard copy stamped and approved by your school.

11. Private Schools OfficeContact Information Private School Office Education Institute Supreme Education Council Telephone# 4560174 Fax# 4271296 Email: privateschool@sec.gov.qa