Qatars' Road to Education reform

This article explores the setting up of Independent Schools in Qatar as part of the response to the Education for a New Era (EFNE) reforms that were designed to focus upon improving the quality of education and equipping young people with the skills needed to participate in a knowledge-based economy. RAND had undertaken an assessment which identified the key factors to develop autonomy, accountability, variety and choice. The initiative was evaluated as not having met its goals and this chapter explores the factors that played a part in the successes and challenges, alongside giving an historical account of Qatar’s education system and its development. There is also discussion of the Empowering Leaders of Learning programme.