Western expatriates hit by lack of seats in schools

Western expats hit by lack of seats in schools
Published: Sunday, 23 September, 2007, 01:38 AM Doha Time

WESTERN expatriates coming to Qatar are facing serious difficulties in finding seats for their children in schools. With a rapidly increasing work force and thousands of new families moving to the country every year, the lack of seats in schools has recently become an important issue.Not only is it causing serious problems for people who have arrived in Qatar, but potential workers are being severely put off by the apparent impossibility of getting a place. As one family said: We are not in Doha yet, but we are seriously thinking of rejecting our contract because of the schooling situation¦the situation is dire to say the least. The issue of education is a major factor among families intending to relocate, and it would seem that if companies want to continue recruiting as many expatriate employees, then the education of their wards has to be ensured, a Western diplomat said.At the beginning of the current academic year, every school offering a British, American or International curriculum was not only full, but bursting at the seams. Waiting lists average 25 to 30 students for each year group at Doha College, for instance, and most other schools are facing a similar situation. Almost all these schools have accepted at least 100 new students each.If the current trend continues over the next few years, it would seem that Qatar is going to face a crisis in education for expatriate children, a school official said...

I'm sure non-western expats are facing the same problems.