Parents can’t withdraw kids from Independent Schools

DOHA: Parents of students at independent schools will have a tough time withdrawing children according to a new regulation of Supreme Education Council. Independent schools can no longer strike off a student’s name from the enrolment list merely at the request of parents.

The new disciplinary policy makes revoking children’s registration and long absence from classes liable to legal action. A parent’s insistence on doing away with a child’s enrolment from a school or a student’s non-attendance should be brought to the attention of authorities. These changes have been introduced to ensure that no child is deprived of his right to education

Qatar has a compulsory education policy, according to Article 49 of the Constitution which stipulates that all citizens have the Right to Education and the State shall try to make general education compulsory and free of charge in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State.

The stage of compulsory education in Qatar starts from primary to secondary schooling or reaching the age of 18, whichever comes earlier. According to SEC’s new guidelines, school authorities cannot revoke a student’s registration even if parents request. If any parent insists on withdrawal from school, the issue will be brought to the notice of Qatar Foundation for Child and Women Protection (QFCW) and then the prosecution department will be informed.

The system has also specified that schools can strike off students’ name from schools if they are found to be above the stipulated age or have failed to clear examinations.

A student above the age of 18 and planning to work; or if a student plans to leave the country or get married — in the case of girls — schools can strike the name off the rolls. In all other cases, schools should inform the authorities. If a student is absent for 20 working days in a semester, or 30 classes in two semesters, QFCW will be informed.

The warning letters and documents which were sent to students and parents will also be submitted proving the follow-up.

These provisions are aimed at ensuring that students are not deprived of education and sent to work. Parents who violate these rulings will have to face legal action.

Late last year, an amendment of some provisions of Law Number 25 of 2001, had increased the penalty for the father or guardian of a child for not sending him to school without a valid reason. The amendment (introduced vide Law No. 25 of 2009) increased the fine for the above offence to between QR5,000 and QR10,000, from QR1,000 and QR5,000 earlier. 


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