Qatar’s only accredited Dutch school programme has expanded with the opening of a dedicated Dutch classroom at Compass International School Doha, strengthening Dutch-language education for families across the country.

The new classroom was officially unveiled at the school’s Themaid campus during its Dutch Preview Day on 29 September, attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Qatar and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Qatar, alongside members of Qatar’s Dutch and Belgian communities.

Delivered in partnership with Dutch language and culture education provider LanguageOne, the programme has been part of Compass International School Doha for 10 years, dating back to the 2016-17 academic year. Compass is the only school in Qatar to offer the LanguageOne Dutch curriculum and the only accredited Dutch programme in the country.

The programme offers Dutch language and culture education from early years through secondary school, with LanguageOne supporting around 50 students across its Doha programmes. Students from beginner to advanced levels can access either an integrated pathway during the school day or an after-school programme.

The after-school Dutch programme is available to Compass students at no additional cost, with families paying only the applicable examination fee. It is also open to students attending other schools in Qatar.

H.E. Ferdinand Lahnstein, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Qatar, said: “During my three years in Qatar, I have had the pleasure of visiting the Dutch community at Compass every year. Each visit has been a great opportunity to meet the students, families, and teachers, and I have always been struck by how warm and welcoming the community is. The teachers are clearly dedicated and do an excellent job of supporting students in developing their Dutch language and maintaining their connection to Dutch culture.”

“Dutch language and culture are an important part of the identity and connection of Dutch families living abroad. It is therefore wonderful to see the programme continue to grow and to have a dedicated classroom that provides a home for Dutch-language education at Compass. This is a valuable space for the Dutch community in Qatar and an important way for children growing up internationally to maintain their connection to the Netherlands throughout their education.”

H.E. Eugène Crijns, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Qatar, said: “As a parent with children at Compass International School Doha, I have experienced first-hand the welcoming atmosphere and the strong sense of community here. We really appreciate the environment the school creates for children and families.

“There are many reasons for Dutch-speaking families to encourage their children to learn and maintain their Dutch. It helps them stay connected to their language, culture and community, while also giving them opportunities to meet other children and build new friendships. Dutch is a beautiful language, and I would encourage all Dutch-speaking families in Qatar to explore the opportunities available to learn and continue developing it.”

The Dutch curriculum is aligned with Dutch national curriculum expectations, helping students develop their language and literacy while maintaining a connection to Dutch culture and education. For internationally mobile families, it can also provide continuity for children who later return to the Netherlands or pursue further education there.

Former Compass parent Valerie van Lelyveld, whose two children completed the Dutch programme at Compass, said: “The Dutch programme was an incredibly important part of my two sons’ education in Qatar. It gave them the opportunity to graduate with a certificate in Dutch Language at IB level, maintain and improve their Dutch language skills and cultural connection, while building a strong foundation for further education in the Dutch education system.

“Today, both of my sons are pursuing their higher education at Dutch universities in the Netherlands. One of my sons is studying Law at Leiden University, while my other son is pursuing a degree in prosthetics in Eindhoven. We are incredibly grateful for the education, language skills and confidence the programme and the teachers gave them and the continuity it provided which enabled them to pursue higher education taught in Dutch in the Netherlands.”

Dirk van der Maal, Director of LanguageOne, said: “We are very pleased to see how the Dutch programme at Compass has grown and developed over the years. Compass has created something quite distinctive for Dutch-speaking families in Qatar by combining an accredited Dutch curriculum with the flexibility of both an integrated school pathway and an after-school programme.

“The programme gives students the opportunity to develop their Dutch language skills to a high standard while maintaining an important connection to Dutch culture and the Dutch education system.

“The opening of this dedicated classroom is a significant milestone because it reflects a long-term commitment to Dutch-language education and to the families and students who make up this growing community. We are proud to be part of that journey and look forward to celebrating this milestone with Compass today.”

The new classroom includes Dutch-language books, cultural materials and curriculum resources, giving the programme a dedicated learning environment at Compass’ Themaid campus.

Jamie Hughes, Principal of Compass International School Doha, said: “Today was a really special moment for our school and our Dutch community. We have been working alongside LanguageOne for more than 10 years and I am incredibly proud of what that partnership continues to offer our families. Together, we remain the only accredited Dutch school programme in Qatar, which is something very special for both our school and the wider Dutch community.

“Being able to give children a fantastic international education while maintaining such a strong connection to their Dutch language and education means that families can eventually return home and their children can move seamlessly back into the Dutch education system.

“Our new dedicated Dutch classroom gives the programme a real home at Themaid, but more importantly, it shows our commitment to its future. We want to continue growing the programme, welcoming more Dutch families and building on a partnership that has already achieved so much.”