Source: The Peninsula
Academicians have expressed divergent views on unification of the curricula and working days of the government, Independent and private schools in Qatar.
Some of the participants in a survey conducted by Al Sharq daily called for unifying the school systems, while others maintained that diversification wound bring in healthy competition among schools.
Syed Ibrahim Al Eidan, Operator of Al Yarmouk Independent School, said the Independent Schools, by rule, should have a minimum 180 working days in a year.
He added that it was difficult to unify the exam schedule with that of private and government schools due to the difference in the curriculum.
He, however, noted that the difference in the exam schedule was a problem to some families, with children studying in different schools.
He urged the authorities to unify the systems followed by these different categories of schools.
Ghuloom Abdulla, Operator of the Doha Independent Secondary School said, unlike the Independent Schools, the curriculum of the Arab private and government schools do not fulfill international standards.
He said the difference in holiday schedules caused problems to some families but this cannot be avoided due to difference in the curricula.
Ibrahim Khidr, director of a Qatari private school said diversity would help upgrade the quality of education and create the feeling of competition.
Intisar Mohammed, director of Al Shema private school for girls also shared similar views.
An official from the Supreme Education Council said, the freedom to choose between different systems and patterns would enrich education.

Comments on ... Diverse Curricula in Schools
Bruce Cifuentes
17 April 2006, 18:00
Michelle Kay
that's why as much as we need diversity in curricula, flexabilty and creativity building, we need a standardized skills that need to be optained in each grade and evaluation for it.
19 April 2006, 05:00
Mohammed Maksoud
if you have to transfer a student from any school to another, they need to have certain skills level to be accepted in a certin grade. I think this what is curriculum standrds SEC developed achieve this role, but the challenge now is for teachers and students to cope with this system and achieve the dream
19 April 2006, 05:00
nesrin
From my experience as a principal, textbooks play an important role in guiding teaching process. They are not the only tools or resources but they are basic tools.
I hope that I had expressed myself well.
3 May 2006, 11:45
Kelsey Wakeman
5 July 2007, 04:45