Qatari Officials Use New Zealand Teacher Licensing System as Model
A group of Senior Officers from Qatar’s Professional Licensing Office for Teachers and School Leaders (QORLA) will be
taking part in a study tour around New Zealand this week.
Cognition Education, a New Zealand education consultancy, is hosting the study tour to help QORLA officials see what is
being done in New Zealand in practice and how teachers are licensed here.
In 2008, Qatar became the first of the Gulf States to introduce teacher licensing. Cognition has been assisting the
Supreme Education Council (SEC) in Qatar to develop, implement and evaluate registration and licensing policy framework.
“This study tour will provide the group with the opportunity to learn more about the education system in New Zealand,”
says Mary Sinclair, who has lead responsibility for Cognition’s role in the project. “They will be able to see the
different ways in which New Zealand is trying to improve teacher and school leader quality.”
The group will be visiting the New Zealand Teachers Council, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Parliament, the
University of Auckland and schools in Auckland, Paremata, Stratford and Hawera.
By the end of July 2010, all teachers in all schools in Qatar must be provisionally licensed by QORLA.
About Cognition Education
Cognition Education is New Zealand’s foremost independent education services and consultancy provider and a leading
education exporter. The company is focused on the provision of international educational reform support, policy
development, professional capability and school improvement projects.
Founded over 20 years ago, Cognition has been deeply involved in the design and implementation of the successful reform
that has taken place in New Zealand’s education system over that time. Cognition is using that expertise to help other
countries develop solutions that meet their needs. It has recently had projects underway in the Gulf States, North
America, South East Asia, and Australasia.
Cognition Education has a mission of enhancing lives through quality education. Profits arising from its work are
invested back into the education sector in New Zealand.
ENDS