Qatar introduces stringent rules for private school buildings

Manama: Qatar has introduced a set of stringent rules governing private school buildings to ensure full compliance with new standards and criteria.

Schools were told that they would be closely monitored by the Supreme Education Council (SEC) and that there would a zero-tolerance policy.

Under the regulations to be implemented in the next academic year, new schools will not receive a licence from SEC while existing schools will have to upgrade their premises to meet SEC standards, Qatari media said on Friday.

The Shared Services Department at SEC will conduct a comprehensive survey on all school buildings and prepare reports about possible faults that will be sent to schools with demands to develop action plans to address the defects.

The Private Schools Office (PSO) that has taken over the Private Education Department is responsible for licensing Arab, international and expatriate private schools as well as nurseries and KGs operating in Qatar, Qatari daily The Peninsula said. PSO will monitor compliance with regulations.

According to new rules, all private school buildings should be located far away from shops and public, industrial and commercial areas and should provide adequate facilities. The premises must also fully comply with security, safety and health requirements, and meet regulations of the Civil Defence Department.

Classrooms and activity rooms should be appropriate for the educational level and all rooms must be clean, appropriately lit, ventilated and air conditioned.

Schools should provide adequate number of water coolers while toilets should be adequate in number and built according to regulations, well-ventilated and far from classrooms.

Schools should be adequately equipped with furniture and equipment necessary to facilitate learning and teaching, computer and science laboratories, sports facilities and a cafeteria that complies with the health requirements.

Playgrounds should be of adequate size and proportionate with the number of students.