Expert Info
on 8 Jul 2020
Hello! I would like to ask about the schools in Qatar, specifically in Doha. What are the best education options in Doha? Can I send my children to a public school in Doha? I have heard that public schools are excellent and children benefit from having great teachers and resources in the classrooms, and they learn in both English and Arabic. Is this true? My children are young and I would love for them to have bilingual education. I also understand that public school or independent school education in Qatar is free, but probably difficult for an expatriate to enrol in.
That said, international schools seem to be the main alternative for my kids when we move to Qatar, and they are expensive and likely out of our budget. Hopefully, our employment contract can cover some of the school fees. Do you have any recommendations for international schools in Doha that we can look into? Any information would be appreciated, if its from personal experience too!
Thanks in advance!
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Hi Taylor, choosing which school to send your kids to is by no means an easy decision, there are lots of factors to consider. You are correct in saying that public schools in Qatar deliver a high standard of education, and the language of instruction is in Arabic and there are classes in English too. But, for expats, it's proven difficult to get into the public school system in Qatar. Different schools have different requirements for their students and families, perhaps. It may be worth enquiring with your Qatari employer or Qatari colleague about the public school system.
As you are interested in your children having a bilingual learning experience, many international schools offer this opportunity too. Some private and international schools use a mixed curriculum similar to that of Qatar's as well as an international one, and there are many schools from countries around the world represented in Doha. My suggestion is to read our Expat Arrivals page on International Schools in Doha for a comprehensive list giving detailed descriptions of each school and their contact details. From there, you can also find pages giving a general overview to education in Qatar and more specifically in Doha. Have your children followed an international curriculum before?