Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) is advancing a comprehensive strategy to elevate the quality, inclusivity, and innovation of its education system, in alignment with the country’s long-term development goals under Qatar National Vision 2030. Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs Maha Zayed al-Qaqaa al-Ruwaili outlined recent achievements and ongoing initiatives as the new academic year begins.
Academic performance reportedly improved notably in 2026, with student achievement rates ranging from 80% to 96% depending on the subject. Additionally, a growing number of government schools surpassed performance levels of 70% across all subjects. To support inclusion, the ministry implemented specialized programs targeting 476 non-Arabic-speaking primary students across 12 schools. Early childhood education was expanded, with kindergartens now enrolling children from age three and the addition of new nursery facilities.
Professional development for educators remains a priority, with 412 training sessions and 112 lesson observation opportunities conducted during the 2025/2026 academic year. This approach seeks to tailor professional growth based on specific teaching needs rather than adopting a uniform model. Digital transformation efforts have broadened access to education through official online platforms that serve over 129,000 students, 15,000 teachers, and 92,000 parents. Initiatives include the launch of 110 digital innovation clubs and cybersecurity programs across 140 schools at various levels. New policies have been adopted to govern e-learning, covering areas such as artificial intelligence integration, digital safety, and equity in access.
In special education, services now extend to 81 government schools and 18 in remote locations. The ministry plans to integrate students from the Audio Education Complex into mainstream schools beginning in the 2026/2027 academic year. New specialized institutions have also been launched, including Al-Hidaya Special Needs School for Boys in Mebaireek, with additional facilities planned at Abu Sidra. Early intervention efforts saw the opening of Al-Jiwan Kindergarten in partnership with Hamad Medical Corporation, and the launch of the WARIF Academy for students with severe functional impairments. Future plans aim to create a unified services center combining resources from three ministries to streamline assessment, diagnosis, and assistive technology support services.
Curriculum development has incorporated new subjects such as financial literacy, genomics, and extended STEM programs. Efforts to enrich learning include investment in modern educational resources and digital content aligned with the updated curriculum framework. Reading initiatives like the Reading Olympics and Mobile Library project have benefited over 25,000 students, complementing efforts to integrate Qatari values, arts, and culture into the educational experience.
Qatar’s focus on innovation is reflected in the 17th National Scientific Research and Innovation Exhibition, which featured participation from 2,383 students presenting more than 1,200 research projects. Qatari students have also achieved recognition at international competitions, including the International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States and ITEX in Malaysia. The ministry hosted its first Annual University Fair, attracting 53 universities and 3,000 students, with an increase in the proportion of students pursuing the scientific track to 57.41% in Grade 11—up 17.4% since 2020/2021.
Additional initiatives include expanding foreign language instruction to include French, German, and Japanese, as well as organizing cultural and scientific camps abroad. The establishment of Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls and two new STEM schools for boys and girls further signal the government’s commitment to developing future-ready educational infrastructure.
The ministry has also taken measures to reduce financial burdens on families by issuing guidelines that regulate school activity expenses and prohibit mandatory fees tied to participation in events. Al-Ruwaili emphasized that comprehensive, evidence-based planning and ongoing development are crucial to equipping future generations with the skills necessary for global competitiveness and national progress.