doha • The Ministry of Education has received 30 applications this year seeking permission to open new private schools in Qatar, a senior Ministry official said.

The Department of Private Education at the Ministry receives the applications during April-May every year. Every new private school opening in the country must obtain a licence from the Department.

A majority of the applications — 23 — are for setting up kindergartens: seven in Arabic medium and 16 in other languages. The remaining seven applications are for private schools catering to different nationalities here, Hamad Ali Al Sulaiti, director of the Department, said.

He said the Department had given initial approval for three schools while the other applications are still under scrutiny. The three schools are expected to start functioning in September, he added.

The final approval is granted only after consultation with the Urban Planning and Development Authority, the Traffic and Patrol Department and other bodies concerned.

Al Sulaiti said private education would get more prominence in the country in the years to come since the private sector in general has been witnessing a rapid growth. The huge influx of foreign workers to the country, particularly professionals, has led to a high demand for such institutions.

The Department has laid down clear guidelines for granting permission to a new school. A main pre-requisite is a purpose-built school building with all required facilities to provide a congenial learning atmosphere.