Schooling starts from age 4 until children turn 17 or 18.

In the private sector, fees for pre-school and primary educational institutions are in the range of QR10,000-QR60,000 ($2,747-$16,479), while secondary fees are about QR20,000-QR70,000. The school year is split into three terms and although some schools charge their fees on a monthly basis, most accept a cheque for each term. The school day typically runs from 7.30am to 1.00pm or 3.00pm, although in the summer, schools may start and finish earlier to avoid the late-afternoon heat.

Many schools have waiting lists; it is advisable to apply for a place as soon as possible

Doha is intent on improving its the education system and has poured billions of dollars into primary, secondary and higher education services. Between 2010 and 2011, all state secondary schools in the country became independent schools, overseen by a board of governors and funded by the government. The schools are set targets, but can use any system they like to achieve their goals. Independent schools cater mainly to Qataris, but non-locals can attend them if their parents work in the public sector. Most expatriates, however, choose to send their children to private schools.

Curriculums at private schools are usually in line with those in the school’s country of origin. There are American, British and Indian schools, for example. Many schools have waiting lists; it is advisable to apply for a place for your child as soon as possible. Pre-schools are attached to schools and are run by qualified teachers, but, as with regular schools, they often have waiting lists. Nurseries are generally easier to get into, but are less well regulated, so it is worth checking to find out how experienced staff at different nurseries are.

Doha has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the quality of higher education, with a particular focus on vocational training. Driven by the Qatar Foundation, it has successfully attracted leading international universities to establish facilities at its flagship development Education City. The zone’s tenants include US institutions Texas A&M University, Carnegie Mellon University and Georgetown School of Foreign Service. The most recent additions to the campus are the French business school Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales Paris and the UK’s University College London.