Qatar replaces annual renewals with multi-year licences for private schools, KGs

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has introduced a Developed Licensing System for private schools and kindergartens that replaces annual renewals with multi-year licences valid for three to five years.

Under the new framework, basic licences valid for three years will be issued gradually starting this month through December 2027. Advanced licences, valid for five years, will be granted to high-performing schools between January 2026 and December 2030.

The initiative was announced at a press conference attended by MoEHE Undersecretary Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs Omar Abdulaziz Al-Naama and several private school representatives.

Dr. Rania Mohammed, Director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department and Acting Director of the Private School Licensing Department, said the reform is based on Law No. (23) of 2015. It aims to align with the state’s strategy to "strengthen partnership with the private sector, supporting investment and expansion in the opening of private education facilities, stimulating private schools toward excellence and administrative stability and reducing administrative and financial burdens on schools and the Ministry".

She said the new structure links licence duration to the institution’s quality level. Basic educational licences will cover three years, while advanced licences will extend to five years for schools demonstrating higher performance. The system is also expected to reduce costs for investors by up to 59% over a ten-year period compared with the previous annual renewal model.