RAND study finds Qatar successfully implements redesign of education system

In only a few years, the State of Qatar has successfully implemented a bold redesign of its K-12 education system, incorporating school autonomy, variety in curriculum, parental choice and accountability measures, according to a report issued today by the RAND Corporation.

With an eye towards supporting ambitious social and economic development, the State of Qatar asked RAND, a nonprofit research organization, to examine its K-12 education system and recommend improvements. The report describes the first phase of the project, which took place from 2001 to 2004, when the first generation of independent schools was opened.

"Our work shows that significant education reform is possible if a country has the political will and sufficient resources," said Charles A. Goldman, associate director of RAND Education, a unit within RAND, which performed the project funded by a contract from the State of Qatar.

"A significant decentralization of education, incorporating parental choice and school accountability, is possible and practical, while still respecting cultural and religious traditions," Goldman added.

RAND and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development collaborate in operating the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute, based in the nation's capital of Doha. The chair of the Qatar Foundation and the co-chair of RQPI's board is Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, the Consort of the Emir of Qatar.

"Our team of parents, students, teachers, administrators, and education advisors have all worked hard to bring genuine educational change to Qatar," Her Highness said. "We highly value the expertise and support RAND brought to the implementation of our reforms. We are proud of our collective achievements in building innovative models of education excellence."

At the time the RAND project began, Qatar, with a population of about 885,000, had about 100,000 children in school. Two-thirds of the students were enrolled in government-financed and operated Ministry of Education schools and the rest were in private schools, which varied in quality.

Although many Ministry of Education teachers were enthusiastic and open to change, the curriculum mostly relied on rote memorization, and the system was not capable of assessing the performance of the schools. In addition, teachers received low pay and many school buildings were in poor condition.

RAND experts proposed several possible education models. The model the Qatari government chose included internationally benchmarked curriculum standards; independent, government-funded schools; accountability measures for the schools; variety in education plans; and parental choice among the schools.