Qatar to build 14 schools via public-private partnership

The new schools are set to include 30 classrooms including classrooms for students with special needs I Image: Supplied
The schools are scheduled to be operational from the academic year 2025-26   

Doha, Mar 7, 2024: Qatar plans to build 14 schools in various parts of the country through a public-private partnership. The schools designedand maintained under the partnership, aim to provide education to more than 10,000 students. The schools are scheduled to be operational from the academic year 2025-26.  

Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ and Urbacon Trading and Contracting Company have signed a new contract to construct the schools in accordance with Law No (12) of 2022 on Regulating Partnership between Public and Private Sectors. 

As part of the project, five primary schools will be built in South Al Wajba, Muaither, Al Thumama and Al Meshaf, in addition to four preparatory schools in Muaither, Al Gharrafa, Al Aziziya and Rawdat Rashed; three secondary schools in Ain Khaled, Muaither and Al Thumama; and two science and technology schools in Al Sakhama and Rawdat Al Hamama.  

The step is in line with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, the final phase of Qatar National Vision 2030, and is a part of the second package of the Qatar Schools Development Programme within the Public-Private Sectors Partnership, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. 

Ashghal had overseen the construction of the first package of eight schools through Public-Private Partnerships, as part of Qatar’s commitment to enable the private sector to play a key role in achieving long-term goals and outcomes, particularly through the utilisation of Public-Private Partnerships as a means of infrastructure development and service provision. 

Eng. Jaralla Mohammed Al Marri, Manager of Buildings Projects Department says, “For the first time in Qatar, the project will be implemented using modern construction methods including 3D printing technology and modular building using prefabricated structures.”  

Eng. Mohammed Masoud Al Marri, Chairman of Ashghal’s PPP Committee says that the executing company will be designing, building schools and maintening them for 25 years. “After the expiration of the execution period, the company must return the schools to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in proper condition,” he adds and hints that the completion of the new schools is set for 2025.   

Khalid Mohammed Al-Hajri, Manager of General Services Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and member of the PPP projects committee Package 2 says that the project greatly supports the achievement of the objectives of education strategy, as it provides a modern, sophisticated and comprehensive foundation, which fosters creativity and innovation in students at all learning levels. 

Explaining the infrastructure, project engineer Khalid Al Najjar says that the new schools are set to include 30 classrooms including classrooms for students with special needs accommodating about 786 students according to approved designs, various educational facilities such as laboratories for sciences, languages and IT, in addition to sports, art and multipurpose halls, libraries, classrooms, outdoor spaces, which includes shaded car parking, sports stadiums and service facilities.  

See also  The English College announces leadership change