TOPIC ARTICLE THE IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL REFORM ON SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION IN QATAR

Abstract

Despite the resources that have been invested in the educational reform in Qatar in the last few years, no systematic study has been conducted to investigate the factors behind the disengagement and disinterest in science and mathematics in Qatari schools. This paper explores why the Qatari education reforms launched in 2003 as “Education for a New Era†have not reversed the significant decline observed over the past 15 years in the number of students studying mathematics and science at both secondary and tertiary levels of education. It outlines the main features of current science and mathematics education at Qatari schools, examines the performance of Qatari students on both national and international tests, and looks at enrollment trends in science programs at Qatar University, the only national university in the state. It further seeks to identify the major factors influencing student attitudes towards mathematics and science, as well as the decline in interest and enrollment in these subjects. The paper will also discuss the long-term impact of this decreasing interest in sciences and mathematics and will review incentives that might reverse this trend.