PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

QatarAbdessalem BouslamaEvaluation Institute, Supreme Education CouncilLanguage and LiteracyArabic is the official language and language of instruction in Qatar, although recentlysome schools have started teaching mathematics and science in English to predominantlynative Arabic-speaking students. Balochi, Pashto, Urdu, and Farsi are among the manylanguages and dialects spoken by Qatar’s large expatriate community. English is thecommon language spoken among Western expatriates.Emphasis on LiteracyThe importance of literacy in Qatari society is evident in a variety of contexts. The QatariNational Library, Dar Al Kutub, is among the oldest libraries in the Gulf region andone of the most prominent cultural landmarks in Qatar. The library is responsible for anumber of initiatives that support literacy, such as book fairs.In conjunction with Qatar’s participation in PIRLS 2006, the Ministry of Educationorganized a contest at the primary grades for outstanding performance in Arabic languageliteracy. The primary objective was to improve third-grade students’ performance in basicreading competencies in Arabic. The contest also attempted to identify reading skillsneeding improvement and develop a culture of valuing achievement among primaryschool staff and students.One tradition that promotes literacy in the home is parents reading the Quran totheir children at an early age and having them repeat short verses. When children beginreading on their own, this activity becomes a daily practice that is monitored by parentsor tutors at home.Overview of the Education SystemThe Qatari government is responsible for the definition and implementation ofeducational policy and operates the majority of schools in the country (Ministry ofEducation schools). Every child in Qatar receives a free education from kindergartenthrough university. The state provides textbooks, stationery, transportation, sport kits,and gear for all students at all levels of education. It also offers financial incentives forQatari students and organizes religious and cultural events and competitions.The education budget increased from 25 million Qatari Riyal in 1960 to 3,093 millionin 2005. 1 Despite a discrepancy during the 1950s between the number of boys and thenumber of girls attending school, attendance was almost equal by gender in the late 1970s,with girls outperforming boys academically.309