Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has announced the commencement of student registration and transfer procedures for public schools for the 2026-2027 academic year, part of a broader effort to streamline administrative services and ensure school readiness.
According to Warda Mohammed Aqeel, assistant director of the School and Student Affairs Department, the phased registration process will officially begin on April 12, 2026, via the "Maaref" electronic portal and will remain open until August 13.
The Ministry confirmed that the initial "automated transfer" phase began in February for students transitioning between educational levels, including those finishing kindergarten, the fourth grade in boys' model schools, and the sixth and ninth grades.
Parents are expected to receive notifications regarding these transfers between March 29 and March 31. Registration requires providing proof of actual residence within the geographical area of the school, such as a notarized lease agreement or an electricity statement in the name of the guardian, attached to the student’s health file.
Electronic registration for new students or those seeking transfers is scheduled in stages, with the first window on April 12 reserved for siblings of Qatari students, children of Qatari mothers, and citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
This expansion coincides with the inauguration of seven new schools, bringing the total number of public schools in the country to 236, alongside 67 kindergartens.
Registration for all other nationalities will open on May 24, while a final registration period will be available from August 25 to October 1 to coincide with the start of the new academic year.
Admission age requirements are calculated based on the student's age as of December 31, 2026.
Under these guidelines, children born up to the end of 2022 are eligible for kindergarten, those born by the end of 2021 for pre-school, and those born by December 31, 2020, for the first grade of primary school.
Notably, Qatari students and those born in January and February are exempt from the minimum age requirement for classes between kindergarten and the fourth grade.
To complete the process, the Ministry requires parents to provide proof of residency, in addition to the student’s health file, birth certificate, and identity card.
Residing expatriates must also submit an employment certificate. Officials have urged the use of the "Where is My School?" electronic system to ensure students are enrolled in the most appropriate facilities based on their residential locations.
