Canadian school?
Hi,
Might be moving to Qatar from Canada in March-May time-frame of 2008. The reason I say "might" to some extent depends on whether my 3 year old can get into a school.
Here's the situation (fairly common I'm sure): Canadian citizen, with wife and 2 kids - the elder child - boy 3 years old, will be 4 in January 2008. Here in Canada the boy would go into kindergarten in September 2008. If we move to Qatar we'd prefer he go to a Canadian or American school.
Here are my questions:
1. What is the KG or primary school year in Qatar?
2. As in Canada, he would be going into first year of primary at age 4 in September 2008, is that correct? If incorrect, what would his first year of kindergarten (KG) be in Qatar if he turns 4 in Jan 2008?
3. MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: If I put him on the wait lists of MANY schools (Doha College, DESS, American School, whatever) - is it REALISTIC to expect he will be in and starting by September 2008? Do you know of any specific schools that have NOT closed their wait lists and either way, can you name some specific schools where he CAN get in for Sept 2008?
4. As Canadians, can we go to ANY school or does it HAVE to be a Canadian school only or Can it be EITHER a Canadian or an American school?
5. QP, QG, RG - any of these companies when they state they will fully pay for education, does that mean FULLY (despite skyrocketing fees) or PARTLY?
Please help, my decision to move to Qatar will be influenced by your responses. Thank you very much,
Ali
Do you think is it suitable to move my daughter to Qatar Canadian School when most of the students are Canadians and she will be from the few who are not?
I would say some westerns look from up to other societies(Middle easterns) even if they are from the oldest civilizations.. Egypt!
I don't know is it a wise decision or i would let her face some kinds of cultrual discriminations??
Abey, I sent you a pm in response to your pm, which I read - I think the two of us should get in touch for sure.
Please check your pm box and reply,
thanks,
A
Thank you for the prompt replies Mariam and Ahasnain,
Mariam you are right, this WAS my first post to the forum. I am new to the forum but I have been looking for jobs in Qatar on the net for a while.
To answer Mariam, I am specifically looking for work in the SAP technical field. This includes programming and project implementation. As a senior consultant for the past 14 years, I have worked with the major Canadian and American companies in technical resource capacities and project implementation management.
In regards to Ahasnain's comments, it seems family wise I am in the same situation. I have a three years old who would be going to school next fall so schooling is certainly a decision factor for us. I did contact a recruiter in Calgary that finds resources in the petro area for Qatar and did not get any response yet. Ahasnain, would you be kind to send me the names of some recruitment agencies that specialize in international resource placement?
I thank you for responding to my post.
ABEY, MARIAM-MAR,
I had an offer to come to Qatar and work for a govt institution, but I had to decline it because the housing was not paid for, and the housing allowance, althuogh generous, just did not cut it.
Abey, I worked with a recruiter here in Canada (Calgary). I would LOVE to move to Qatar, but money-wise this move would only be worth it for me if:
1. Full housing costs are paid for - no allowance.
2. My 3-year old can get into a good CDN or American (or British) school.
3. I can somehow convince my wife that uprooting from Canada and moving to Qatar for more $$$ is worth putting up with the insects, hot weather, cultural differences, crazy driving, etc.
That being said, again I think Qatar would be a great place to raise kids.
A Big HELLO!! What exactly do you want to do here in Qatar? I only read one message you posted that you were contacting companies. To be employed or to set up business? Thank you...
Hi everyone,
I am in Canada and plan to live in
Qatar. I am IT specialist with 14 years experience in SAP technologies. I have been trying to get in touch with some companies but have not succeeded. Can any one especialy Ali who is also Canadian and seems to have an offer already give me some suggestions.
I truy appreciate your help and suggestions.
Abey.
IMHO, if you start hunting now and put your child on enough waiting lists (and keep contacting the schools), then you'll find a place for your child in Sept 2008.
My daughter will be 4 in July 2008 and I will be enrolling her in "kindergarten"...but different schools have different names for the 4-yr-old class. I've put my daughter's name on several waiting lists but some schools' waiting lists open in January. Qatar Academy is out but Newton, Compass, Lebanese School, QIS, DESS, etc. still have openings. Being here would be better for you b/c some schools like to chat with the parents. Also, if you're here, then you personally visit the schools to "remind" them that your child is on the waiting list.
Looks at the details in your contract for what "FULLY PAY" tuition means. My contract says my company will pay fully all tuition (but not more than the Qatar Academy tuition..this is max). Some of my colleagues are fighting this and demand the company pays for tuition above Qatar Academy's tuition level b/c the only schools still available are above Qatar Academy's tuition level.
The fact you're Cdn (like me) doesn't matter except for the Canadian School but they don't have a 4-yr-old class.
Most schools are over-full. Unless you work for a company that is a sponsor of an American or Canadian school, your odds of getting in are pretty low.
You should also be a bit wary of schools that still have place. They are not in demand for a reason.
Compass International is reputed to be a reasonable school. You might want to try there. Its run on the UK system, though.
Hope this helps.