The Ministry of Education and Higher Education organised the third edition of the annual “Proud of You” event for outstanding private school students, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Mr Omar Abdulaziz Al Naama, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs, senior ministry officials, private school owners and principals, outstanding students, and their parents.
The event was held at the theatre hall in the ministry’s permanent headquarters. The event aimed to celebrate private school students who achieved first place globally in academic subjects across different educational systems, including the British, American, Indian, International Baccalaureate, and National Standards systems.
It also highlighted the quality outcomes and achievements of private schools, encouraged students to continue excelling academically, and strengthened cooperation between the ministry and private schools. During the ceremony, outstanding students who achieved top academic rankings globally and across the Middle East were honoured and awarded certificates of excellence by Dr Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Mr Omar Al Naama, and Dr Rania Mohamed, Director of the Private Schools and Kindergartens Department and Acting Director of the Private Schools Licensing Department.
In his speech, Mr Omar Al Naama praised the achievements of private school students and recognised the efforts of school leaders, teachers, and parents. He noted that one private school in Qatar was ranked among the top 100 private schools worldwide according to the Spear’s School Index, making it the only school in Qatar included in the prestigious list.
Dr Rania Mohamed highlighted that Qatar achieved the “Outstanding Country Award” and ranked first globally in the 2026 British Pearson examination results. Nearly 1,000 students achieved top positions in international, regional, and local competitions, including students who achieved first place worldwide in academic subjects and others who achieved 100% marks in 2026. The ministry also announced the launch of the “Excellence in School Leadership Award” under the slogan “Effective Leadership, Sustainable Education, and Clear Impact.” The award, the first of its kind in Qatar’s private education sector, includes eight strategic evaluation areas covering leadership, governance, educational quality, student achievement, human resources, student wellbeing, innovation and digital transformation, and community partnerships.
The award will be held every two years starting from the 2026–2027 academic year, with winners to be announced during the 2027–2028 academic year. Schools achieving first place will receive the title “Leading School in Educational Leadership” and will qualify directly for an advanced educational licence valid for five years. Graduating students from the winning school will also receive certificates recognising their contribution to achieving the award.
The ceremony included a documentary video showcasing the success stories of outstanding private school students featured in previous editions of the “Proud of You” programme, along with testimonials from students, teachers, and school principals who praised the initiative and its positive impact. Outstanding students and their parents expressed their pride and happiness at being honoured, describing the programme as a strong source of motivation and a platform that promotes excellence and innovation.
