Maha Al Romaihi, Director, Tariq Bin Ziad School
Tariq Bin Ziad School of Qatar Foundation (QF), which provides bilingual education blended with a unique curriculum deeply rooted in Qatari heritage, will officially open today.
The school with a strong legacy of excellence dating back several decades, was previously run by the Amiri Diwan, was brought under the QF’s umbrella of Pre-University Education (PUE) from the 2019-20 academic year.
“Tariq Bin Ziad School is of national importance to Qatar, having graduated many of the country’s past and present leaders. Recently, the school has been equipped with new, advanced facilities, and is now positioned as Qatar’s leading bilingual school with a strong focus on Arabic language, culture, and heritage,” Maha Al Romaihi, Director, Tariq Bin Ziad School, told The Peninsula.
“The school offers a bilingual co-educational Primary Years Programme that follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum, with additional elements that reflect the enduring importance of Qatar’s heritage,” she added.
Classes commenced in August 2019, and the school caters to students from Pre-3 to Grade 1. The school will add one grade each year until Grade 5. At present it has 156 students
Telling the history behind Tariq Bin Ziad School which is situated in Al Saad area in Doha, Al Romaihi said, “It is one of the oldest schools and it opened in 1962. It was one of the three boys schools in Doha which opened with one teacher and seven students.”
“In 90’s the school had some 700 students and was known as one of the best schools in Qatar for boys. The school presented innovation in education, it was known for excellence,” she said.
The school was closed in 2004 to be rebuilt as a new independent school during the time of educational reforms took place in the country.
“But there was a decision by the Private Engineering Office under the Amiri Diwan to rebuild the school with the old design like in 60’s,” said Al Romaihi.
“At present, the school has two campuses, different sport fields for football, tennis and basketball, specialized learning spaces and labs. And in 2019, Tariq Bin Ziad School became part of QF,” she added.
According to Al Romaihi, the school has a huge demand, especially from alumni to recruit their children because of the school’s legacy in the past.
“We keep the legacy and heritage of the old school with new facilities and curriculum. We have literal integration of heritage through the curriculum,” said Al Romaihi.
“For example, if the English teacher introduces an informative text to students she will introduce a text about old ships in Qatar or traditional jewelry in Qatar. The math teacher will use material from Qatari environment such as dry limes or seashells for counting,” she added.
Also literature taught at Tariq Bin Ziad School is based on local environment or heritage and written by Qatari writers.
“We have a full invasive language model of teaching in the classroom. Two teachers together teach collaboratively in Arabic and English at the same time,” said Al Romaihi.
Explaining the teaching method, she said, “When the English teacher explains math , the Arabic teacher will sit with students and explain in Arabic. So students learn the math concept in native Arabic and in English.
While, the Arabic teacher is explaining five pillars in Islam, the English teacher will explain it in English.”
“The most unique thing about teaching is that two teachers will be teaching in Arabic and English the same lesson. So students learn in both English and Arabic. This innovative teaching method has made very positive impact on students,” said Al Romaihi.
