In a move to implement Qatarisation in the country’s public school system from next year, it is understood that around 650 non-Qatari teaching and administrative staff have been given their marching orders.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in a formal circular to schools, announced the plan for Qatarisation in Independent Schools for boys and girls in Primary, Preparatory and secondary schools from the next academic year, reported The Peninsula.

The newspaper cited a report in Al Sharq (Arabic version) as saying that the ministry had sent an approximately 650-strong list of staff whose services will be terminated, with their last working day being June 1.

The Peninsula, citing sources, said that a list of Qatari replacement staff was ready for recruitment to the positions that will fall vacant.

Meanwhile, Gulf Times reported that most of the terminated jobs were of administrative nature. It said academic jobs accounted for only 15% of the total number of terminated employees.

It added that around 100 of the terminated expatriate staff had already reached legal retirement age. Some of the terminated employees had also been hired only on a temporary basis.

The paper further reported that most of the jobs that would be occupied by Qataris are administrative jobs like social workers, school bus supervisor for girls, storehouse keepers, and administrative supervisors.

The Peninsula said several school directors were caught by surprise upon receiving the directive through the employee data system, managed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s Human Resources Department.