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Finally, although Qatar has a high per capita income, the national investment in education was small. Teachers received low pay and little professional development, many school buildings were in poor condition, and classrooms were overcrowded.

he most fundamental need was for clear curriculum standards oriented toward the desired outcomes of schooling. The new system’s curriculum, assessments, and professional development would all need to be aligned with these clear standards

AND presented three governance options to the Qatari leadership for discussion: (1) a Modified Centralized Model, which upgraded the existing, centrally controlled system by allowing for some school-level flexibility with or without parental choice of schools; (2) a Charter School Model, which encouraged variety through a set of schools independent of the Ministry and which allowed parents to choose whether to send their children to these schools; and (3) a Voucher Model, which offered parents school vouchers so that they could send their children to private schools and which sought to expand high-quality private schooling in Qatar.

Qatar now possesses curriculum standards in Arabic, mathematics, science, and English for all 12 grades — and these standards are comparable to the highest in the world.

These tests and surveys were then upgraded and repeated in 2005 and 2006 as part of the ongoing accountability system. The tests are the first standardized measures of student learning available in the Arabic language.

otential school operators responded enthusiastically to the call to open the new schools.

from a pool of 160 initial applicants; all 12 opened under three-year renewable contracts. In 2005, 21 additional Independent schools opened, and in 2006, 13 more opened.

Increased expertise is needed in Qatar’s teaching workforce and among the Institutes’ staff. Non-Qatari specialists are likely to be required in the future, but it is important that they find the means to transfer knowledge to Qataris to build local human resources.

The four principles of the reform — autonomy, accountability, variety, and choice

The emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates recently adopted a strategy of public financing for private providers of education that is similar to that of Qatar. Also, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council praised Qatar’s initiative, especially its curriculum standards. Since these standards are the foundation for teaching, learning, and accountability, the Secretary General’s praise, motivated by concern throughout the region about preparing students for later life, represents a major endorsement of the approach taken in Qatar.

women should wear "appropriate" clothing when they go out.

There have been multiple mass sexual assaults on women during protests the past three years.

security forces dragged a female protester to the ground, pulled up her top to reveal her blue bra and stomped on her chest.

female protesters at the time were forced to undergo humiliating "virginity tests" when detained by the military.

Violence is a "very intimidating weapon" against women participating in public life

"If there is no democratic climate, how would you benefit from these beautiful laws?" said Abdel-Hameed. "It will be the same as under Mubarak: you have a beautiful law but it's not implemented."

The document explicitly enshrines equality between the sexes and women's rights to education, work and high political office.

"It's not just more progressive than the 2012 constitution, it's more progressive than the 1971 constitution . from the gender perspective,

Women have only been allowed to be judges since 2007

guarantees their right to hold high positions in the judiciary

2010 court decision barred women judges from the State Council, a powerful judicial body that regulates disputes between individuals and the state and reviews legislation.

January she wrote to the State Council demanding it take on women judges in light of the constitution.

The Council replied b

violated appropriateness and manners"

sought criminal action against the National Council for Women.

"the mentality of the decision-makers

is the main obstacle to the carrying out the promises of the constitution.

low representation of women in government.

lowest in the Arab world

two percent of the seats in the last parliament,

We're tired of the government and officials .

creation of a Commission on Discrimination with real judicial power

more women judges; a

he presence of women in parliament and local council

and the nullification of the draconian protest law,

gender issues should be mainstreamed across all government bodies.

activate a unit specialized in fighting violence against women and "the health sector should take into account reproductive rights.

h clinics should provide contraception and treatment for STDs

women's issues are never a priority for anyone

parts of the constitution may make enforcing the women's rights provisions harder.