Home Schooling in Qatar

[FulhamPosse]

Currently in the process of trying to relocate to Qatar for September 2014. All was going swimmingly. Job in place, start date confirmed. School application in with ISL Qatar for DD 16. Then disaster struck. DD failed maths assessment test and ISL refused the application. No other schools have places available for entry on Grade 10 Middle Years Programme (MYP) for IB. It was murder even getting any school to consider the application in the first place as they were all either full or not willing to take a Year 11 GCSE student on to non-matching curriculum (MYP or IGCSE).

Major problem : Do we either move anyway with no school place for DD in what would be final GCSE year, or do we stay in Blighty, let DD stay at school to do full year 11 and finish GCSE’s.

Staying in UK could have major job implications (ie lose job in Qatar and possibly lose job in Blighty !) Going to Qatar with no school has obvious teenager development and general well-being issues.

Is HOMESCHOOLING IN QATAR via home tutors, private SKYPE tutoirials and nline learning for final CGSE year a sensible/viable option? ANY SUGGESTIONS. Anyone know anything about homeschooling in Qatar???

[BettyBolognese]

Boarding school? Then she can do IB based on her GCSE results?

[GrannyOnTheSchoolRun]

You need to go over to the Expatwoman Forum and post on both the main Dubai board and the Qatar board. Someone there will help you even if its just to help with wether to move or not.

Personally, I wouldn't, due to the vital stage of education your DD is at and how bumpy the move could be education wise.

[FulhamPosse]

Thought about boarding. DS 14 is already there. Unfortunately, we did board DD for two terms last year and she HATED it. Tears every weekend, so probably not an option.

Thanks GrannyOTSR for tips about Expat Woman.

[mumster79]

Homeschool - so many online schemes... if there's any hesitation from her regarding boarding then it may very well not be for her.

[GrannyOnTheSchoolRun]

The problem with distance learning is that very few of them are acceptable when it comes to going back in mainstream education.

For eg, I think the only one recognised in the Emirates is something called K9. At least I think its K9. Then there are the problems of sitting exams as an external candidate.

[cannotseeanend]

I'd put my kids first every time, a job is a job.

[crumbleofblackberries]

Have you tried Compass International School? The secondary is at the Madinat Khalifa campus, and their year 11 has been quite small in the past. Doesn't help with the maths test, but worth a try.

[zikreetdreaming]

There are people homeschooling but it's mainly younger kids. I'd be worried about her ability to make friends if homeschooled.

You could probably find the tutors though. Look at Doha Mums (you can send a question through the website) although most members have younger kids. She wouldn't be getting a quality education though. I wouldn't take the risk - it's too important a time.

Whose job is it? Assuming it's your husband's what about the option of him going and you staying? Doesn't work if you're a single mum of course.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Can your dh's employer help at all? I have heard (in Asia) about employers having contact with schools to underline the importance of relocations, how much someone is needed in a certain location and how it wouldn't be possible without schooling for dcs. Not advocating it, but it's normally accompanied by a cheque.....

[differenttoyou]

I would be hesitant to do this. Even if you managed to find tutors are there any exam centres that you would be able to sign up with? As someone else has already said, ask on the Expat Woman Qatar board. There is quite a large homeschooling community in Doha but as far as I remember, many of them are American. It is much easier to move in and out of American Schools as they don't have a set exam system like the UK. If you would like to word a question I can post it on the Doha Mums forum as I'm still a member.

[Jumpingjuly]

I would absolutely stay in the UK for your DD's year 11. Who has the job?if it is your DH could you not stay back for the year in the UK with your DD, send DH ahead and then you have time to sort out schools for A levels etc in a more relaxed time frame. It's only a year and it is a crucial time for your DD. We have done similar when my DH has moved with his jobs in the past (in our case the school was full so we were waiting for a place)

[saintlyjimjams]

If you do homeschool look at Interhigh. I think there are a few people using them in similar circumstances. Hard to move for year 11 though. Id the job for your dh or for you? If dh could he move abroad ahead of you?

[saintlyjimjams]

Interhigh www.interhigh.co.uk/ I think the time difference would work out as doable with ME?

[expatmumsy]

Its quite hard to secure a school placement, as there are a lot of children here and not so many schools. There are a lot of families who homeschool, but as I'm not one of them I can't really offer much help. Try getting in touch with doha mums www.dohamums.com/doha-resources/mum2mum/ask/schools.html or www.facebook.com/dohamums

[guardian123]

Apparently most of commenters here have no knowledge of homeschool. I suggest you ignore them. It is perfectly fine to homeschool your kids irregardless of their age. You can hire private tutors for certain subjects or use interhigh and the rest they will self study. British council in Doha will do your exam registration. Worse come to worse, they can do the exam in uk.

[DesireC]

We relocating to Doha from South Africa in beginning of January 2019 and have 2 boys 4 and 7 and I am looking for tutor to do homeschooling with them as they will miss out of almost 8 months of school, waiting to get permits done and for school acceptance and I just don't want them to be so long without any form of Education. I am not comfortable to do the homeschooling myself. So please help

[Devinair]

Hello,
I am moving to Qatar from India in June 2020 and is looking for homeschooling for my daughter for grade 4. The challenge is that my daughter is Dyslexic. Currently she goes to an alternative learning school and it works wonders for her. As a single mother, it is indeed difficult to probably adapt to the homeschooling concept. I have tried for her admission in few schools and they have not been encouraging. Her dyslexia has a major role to play in not having a good response from many international schools in Doha. Could anyone please advise about the homeschooling options in Doha?

[Nlds]

If your child is happy, would it not be better to stay put?