Qatar

Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development

Teacher Education Specific to Reading

Qatar has no specific requirements or preparation regarding the teaching of the reading curriculum as part of preservice education for teachers in schools. Language teachers must have a bachelor’s degree in Arabic language to teach reading to Grade 4 students.

Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers

Teachers go through a series of training programs that aim to strengthen their abilities in teaching and delivering information. Also, teachers exchange classroom visits that usually are scheduled by the subject coordinator. The Training and Educational Development Center plays a major role in designing professional development workshops for teachers, allowing them to keep up with the latest teaching, school leadership, and management techniques. The center also advises school administrators on the design and content of their own professional development plans, approves the schools’ plans, and provides support as needed.

In 2007, the Training and Educational Development Center launched an online teachers’ network in an effort to improve the quality of teaching in schools and to promote professional development. The network provides a platform for all teachers in Qatar to exchange views and information on teaching issues, and encourages teachers to exchange ideas on curricula. New, aspiring, and experienced teachers can exchange learning resources and search for and apply for jobs online. Specialists in this field have held training workshops for teachers with the aim of improving students’ performance on PIRLS. Experts at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education supervise teachers and provide performance reports, used to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and identify ways to improve their teaching skills.