Enrolling your child in school

Who this is for

Parents and guardians of children living in Qatar. Government schools accept specific groups set by the ministry, including Qatari citizens, GCC citizens, children of Qatari mothers, holders of Qatari documents, permanent residency holders, diplomats, and children of non-Qataris who work for government bodies, public institutions and designated charitable associations. Children of private-sector employees can join one of 18 designated government schools in outlying areas if they live in that school's zone. Private schools are open to all, according to each school's own admission policy.

Before you start

• The child's Qatar ID.
• The child's birth certificate.
• The child's health file, opened at your local health centre.
• For residents applying to government schools: an employment certificate (work letter) from the parent's employer.
• Proof of address, such as a notarized rental contract or an electricity (Kahramaa) certificate or bill. This is required for the schools in outlying areas.
• Report cards or certificates from the child's previous school. Students coming from abroad from Grade 2 upwards may need a certificate equivalency.

Steps

1. Choose the type of school and check eligibility

   Decide between a government school and a private school. For a government school, check that your family is in one of the eligible groups listed above. If not, look at licensed private schools.

2. Check your child's age

   The ministry calculates age as of 31 December of the year the school year starts. For 2026-2027, Grade 1 in government schools is for children born on or before 31 December 2020. Check the ministry's yearly circular for the other grades and for kindergarten.

3. Prepare the documents

   Gather the documents in the list above. Open a health file for your child first if they do not have one, because it is required for registration.

4. Government school: apply on the Ma'aref portal

   Register online through the ministry's Ma'aref public services portal during the official registration period. You can use the 'Where Is My School?' tool to find the school for your area. Children moving to a new stage (for example after Kindergarten, Grade 6 or Grade 9) are usually transferred automatically, and parents receive a notice.

5. Private school: find a licensed school and apply

   Use the ministry's school search website to find licensed private schools and kindergartens. Then contact the school and apply following its own policy. The school may hold an interview or assessment before confirming a place.

6. New family visa holders: use the Compulsory Education platform

   Guardians of children aged 6 to 18 who hold a family residence visa must use this ministry platform to either register the child in a school or show that the child is studying abroad. Submit one application per child; only one active application is allowed at a time.

7. Follow up and complete the file

   Watch for messages from the ministry or the school. They may ask for more documents or the originals. Make sure everything you submit is accurate, as parents are responsible for the information they provide.

Good to know

• Registration dates change every year. Government schools usually open registration in the spring for priority groups, then for all eligible families, sometimes with a second window before the school year starts. Check the ministry’s news page for the current dates.
• In the 18 government schools for private-sector families, places depend on available seats. Students who are not Arabic speakers must pass an Arabic language test, and transfers to schools inside urban Doha are not allowed.
• Children with learning difficulties or speech disorders register directly at the school. Children with autism, intellectual disabilities or hearing impairments are referred through the ministry's Student Support Services Center.
• Private schools in Qatar must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education under Law No. 23 of 2015. Use the ministry's list to confirm a school is licensed.
• Students joining a private school from an international school need official academic certificates from Grade 2 upwards. Those from a national curriculum need an equivalency certificate from the ministry's Student Information Center.
• If you have trouble finding a private school place, the ministry's Private School Licensing Department can help you look for an alternative.