Qatar

Compulsory Education Age

Mandatory from age 6 (any time between between the beginning of the school year to December 31 of such year) through completion of secondary education or 18 years of age (whichever is sooner).

Legal Status

Homeschooling falls under the umbrella “parallel” or “alternative” schooling. According to Law No. 25 of 2001 Mandatory Education Act, education is mandatory and Qatari citizens may only homeschool their children if they receive a waiver from the Supreme Education Council (SEC) due to one of the following conditions:

1. The child has extenuating circumstances, such as health or medical reasons (including cognitive disabilities), whose special needs cannot be met in a regular classroom/school setting.
2. The child has reached an age for which compulsory schooling no longer applies (over the age covered by compulsory schooling law).

The SEC regulates homeschooling of Qataris in a number of ways. Homeschool programs are still expected to follow the SEC curriculum standards and, similar to independent schools, can choose the resources they wish to use as long as they cover the content in the SEC standards. Qatari parents or caregivers are expected to register each homeschooled child at a designated school and homeschoolers have access to resources and other supports provided by the Education Institute through those schools. According to the SEC, there are just over 3,000 registered homeschooled children. Homeschooled children may participate in the end of year exams administered at the registered school, typically after normal school hours.

Homeschooling of Expats:

Expats may homeschool as there is no law for or against expats homeschooling in Qatar. It is highly recommended that expats follow the education law of their home country when homeschooling.