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Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater approved the decision amending provisions on fees charged to non-Qatari students who are not citizens of GCC states enrolled in government schools. The update adds two new exemption categories consisting of holders of Qatari travel documents and those with permanent residency cards. According to the ministry the changes aim to align policies with current needs while maintaining established regulations for how exemptions are applied.
The ministerial decision amends Decision No. 20 of 2023 which first outlined the framework for determining textbook fees and transportation charges along with associated exemptions. Al Khater’s approval brings the total exempt groups for non-Qatari non-GCC students to an expanded list under the updated rules. The ministry confirmed the measure targets only those already enrolled in the public system without modifying admission standards.
Under the terms detailed in the decision the exemptions cover both textbooks and school transportation services for qualifying students in accordance with all applicable controls. The ruling takes effect from the date of issuance and requires publication in the Official Gazette. Ministry documentation specifies that the provisions must be implemented uniformly across relevant government schools.
Ministry of Education and Higher Education data from 2022 placed enrollment in government schools at 129249 students across 209 institutions with Qataris accounting for 50.1 percent of the total. That share had declined from 72.6 percent in 2013 as private schools expanded to 334 facilities serving more than 209000 pupils the same year. The figures illustrate a broader shift in how families select between public and private options.
Public schools have historically provided free education to Qatari children and certain non-Qatari categories particularly when parents are employed by government entities according to education sector profiles. Non-Qataris whose parents work in the private sector previously encountered fees unless they met specific exemption criteria. The latest adjustment extends coverage to additional long-term residents in line with ongoing policy adjustments.
An exceptions program operated by the ministry has guaranteed admission for more than 1500 children each year beyond standard categories education profiles from 2022 show. Earlier transportation charges for non-exempt non-GCC students stood at set rates before this expansion. The decision integrates with Qatar’s efforts to support resident families through targeted administrative updates without altering underlying enrollment frameworks.
