Free And Discounted Private School Seats Reach Over 8,500

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced that the number of free and discounted seats offered by private schools and kindergartens under the“Community Responsibility of Private Schools and Kindergartens” initiative has exceeded 8,500, marking a significant expansion in efforts to provide equal access to quality education for eligible families across Qatar.

The initiative has seen a strong public response, with around 17,000 applications submitted so far for the available seats, reflecting growing demand among families seeking access to affordable, high-quality education through participating private schools and kindergartens.

Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, Dr. Rania Mohammed, Director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department and Acting Director of the Private School Licensing Department at the ministry, said the initiative aims to ensure that students from different economic backgrounds have access to quality education opportunities.

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She noted that the project initially began with a limited number of seats, with the ministry previously announcing around 4,000 places.“Today, I am pleased to announce that the number of free, discounted, and educational voucher-value seats has exceeded 8,500,” she said.

Dr. Mohammed explained that the initiative focuses on supporting students whose families face economic challenges, enabling them to receive the same educational opportunities available to their peers in high-quality schools.

The project includes three main categories of support: fully free seats, discounted seats, and seats provided at the value of the educational voucher for Qatari students.

According to the ministry's criteria, families applying for fully free seats must have an actual monthly income not exceeding QR10,000, while discounted seats are available for families earning up to QR15,000 per month. For Qatari students applying for educational voucher-value seats, the family's actual income must not exceed QR25,000.

Dr. Mohammed stressed that the ministry evaluates the family's actual income rather than only the official salary listed in employment documents. Parents are required to submit salary certificates along with documentation of financial obligations to calculate their effective income level.

The ministry has also launched an online application service through its official website, enabling parents to review all eligibility criteria, required documents, and application procedures before submitting applications electronically.

She added that several specialized committees from different sectors within the ministry have been formed to review applications and oversee the placement of students in participating private schools. Around 17,000 applications have been submitted so far for the available seats.

The“Community Responsibility of Private Schools and Kindergartens” initiative also includes free seats for students with disabilities, as well as fully free evening education programs offered by some participating schools.

Participating schools offer a variety of curricula, including British, Indian, American, and the national curriculum, giving families a broader range of educational choices.

The ministry said the initiative represents a major step toward expanding access to high-quality education for students from diverse economic and social backgrounds, while ensuring that the educational support remains sustainable and continues with students until graduation.

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