News: Teach Abroad in Qatar - Jun 28, 2019
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Friday, June 28, 2019School Spotlights

Teach Abroad in Qatar

Launched by the Ministry of Education in August 2018, Qatar Science & Technology Secondary School for Boys delivers the multi-disciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education for male Qatari students Grades 9–12. The school plans to offer the Advanced Placement (AP) program for the students in Grades 11 and 12. However, QSTSS has begun with 60 students enrolled in Grade 9 in the 2018/2019 school year and will expand grade levels over the next four years, to reach a maximum capacity of 240 students. Plans for two more branches of the school—one for girls and a second for boys—are underway, with the intention of opening within two to three years. QSTSS limits class sizes, so that at present, the student to teacher ratio is 12:1, and some classes even have two teachers in the room. The students are relatively high achievers, and teachers can devote their time to learning instead of classroom management.

Qatar boasts first-rate museums, cultural events, a beautiful coastline, and striking desert views. In contrast to the extreme heat of summer, winters are long and temperate, and residents can enjoy outdoor activities like beach picnics from November to April. Entertainment and cultural attractions are rapidly developing, and with a little effort, expats will find plenty to do. Doha has some high-profile restaurants. Petrol (gasoline) in Qatar is very cheap. Qatar imports most of its food, so expats might be able to find their favorite brands. Imported Western brands can be found in malls and shops. The country is very safe, with low levels of even petty crime. Everybody is excited as the 2022 World Cup approaches!

The QSTSS building is a state-of-the-art model for a STEM school, with an environment that is also professionally appealing and inspiring for any teacher wishing to develop his career. The facility includes discrete labs for fabrication, robotics and automation, sustainable energy, information and communication technology, virtual reality, augmented reality, biology, physics lab, chemistry, and language.

QSTSS students may choose from many curricular and extracurricular activities and events that include Robotics, Debate, Astronomy Olympiad, STEM, and English Language Enrichment, along with competitions in areas like robotics, research, makers and digital fabrication, debate, and science. Sports activities and competitions include football, basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, and more! Students also take part in community service programs and activities.

Because the students are male only at this stage, QSTSS is interested in hiring male teachers, either single or with a non-teaching spouse. They will also consider outstanding, experienced local teachers lacking certification. Candidates must hold an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. Because of the visa process, the school prefers certificated employees, up to the age of 50, with passports from the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia, or EU.

Benefits include a highly competitive salary and annual airfare for the employee, his wife (if applicable), and up to three children under the age of 18. Teachers may choose the housing allowance or a fully-furnished apartment commensurate to family size. Employees receive a tuition benefit of 42000 QR (roughly 11,500 USD) per child, for up to two children. QSTSS provides both internal and external need-based professional development opportunities. Residents can apply for a Hamad health card, which entitles them to subsidized health care at the Hamad Medical Corporation. The main hospitals are modern and well-equipped. There are local employment opportunities for non-teaching spouses. This package allows for some excellent savings or the chance for a family of four to live on one salary.

Expat accommodation in Qatar is generally spacious and well-proportioned. New compounds and apartments are constantly being built, so expats who dream of a home with never-been-used fittings and a new house smell may be in luck. Most compounds and complexes have on-site amenities such as pools, gyms, dry cleaners, and cafés. Accommodation choices for teachers are limited to compound villas and high-rise apartments.

Qatar pours a tremendous amount of money into education, science, and technology, and many world-class institutions have set up branches in Doha. The country also recruits teachers from overseas, and the quality of education in private schools is high. There is a public school system in Qatar, but it mainly caters to locals and is taught in Arabic. Most private international schools follow an American or British curriculum.

Making friends in Qatar is easy. The population is small, and the expat community is tight-knit. New arrivals can easily make friends by taking up a sport or starting a conversation with their neighbors. This is even easier for expats who move with a family, as there are many moms' groups and activities for kids in Doha. Single expats will find opportunities to take up a hobby or learn another language.

To gain access to Qatar Science & Technology Secondary School for Boys’ full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.

Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.



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