The School:
Dukhan English School (DES) was established over 50 years ago and provides education for the children of Qatar Petroleum (QP) employees who live in Dukhan. The school is a co-educational, British Curriculum day school, which caters for over 1000 students from 3 to 18 years old. There are over 140 teachers and support staff at the school, predominantly British and Commonwealth trained.
The academic year mirrors the British system of three terms, beginning in September. Local religious and QP holidays are also observed. The school week runs from Sunday to Thursday, the weekend being Friday and Saturday. For teachers the school day begins at 6.45am and finishes at 2.30pm unless staff have other commitments.
The school is well equipped with an outstanding campus of purpose built buildings. Classrooms in KS1 and 2 vary in size and style but on the whole are fairly spacious and well resourced. The specialist building is just over four years old and contains classrooms, ICT, Science, DT and Art specialist facilities. DES also has two grassed playing fields, a small hall and a main sports hall, as well as access to a nearby swimming pool at the Jinan Recreation Centre (JRC). Other QP facilities also used by DES pupils include the squash courts at the JRC, tennis courts at the Dukhan Recreation Centre (DRC), the Sailing Club, the Golf Club and Cinema.
The City:
Qatar is a peninsula in the Arabian Gulf situated approximately a forty-minute flight away from its better-known neighbour, the United Arab Emirates. It has a population of 800,000 people of all nationalities, most of whom live in Doha (the capital), along with small towns such as Al Khor (just north of Doha), Ruwais on the north coast and of course Dukhan on the west coast. Arabic and English are widely spoken.
Since the 1940s the State of Qatar has developed from being one of the poorest Gulf States, with its income based on pearl fishing, into one of the richest, thanks to the development of large oil and gas fields. Today its people have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
Life in Dukhan:
The peacefulness of Dukhan is probably most noticeable after a hectic holiday of catching up with family and friends. It is on return that you realise how far removed the community is from the everyday worries inherent in most other locations. Whether they are visiting friends, going for a bike ride, walking the dog or playing in one of the parks, Dukhan is safe enough for children to be independent. You can walk, cycle or drive to work without the inconvenience of heavy traffic. Most people live within 2km of the school. It does get hot and humid in the summer, but the majority of days are just right for a trip to the beach, pool or picnic site out in the nearby desert. Winter days can be refreshingly cool, but rain is rare. Sandstorms occur at times and can be quite an experience – best enjoyed from indoors!
Although some would call Dukhan “isolated,” life here is what you make it. The pace of life can be as slow as a day’s fishing or sunbathing, or as fast as a morning of water-skiing or kite-surfing and an afternoon of spear fishing or playing squash. You can join in all the regular social activities, just visit friends or stay at home and unwind.
The clubs are the backbone of social activity in the community and are constantly looking for new ways to entertain the residents of Dukhan. In this vein there are many events that are organised to extend the social calendar, including Darts Nights, Bingo Evenings, Quiz Nights, Theme Nights, Festive Dinners and Craft Fairs. Teachers are prominent members of organising committees and are often the catalysts for new events and trips.
The Al-Lewan Restaurant provides the food for most functions. It also provides a high quality lunch buffet for QR4 each weekday, with evening meals and a takeaway menu at very cheap prices.
The Package:
All positions offer attractive remuneration packages including free accommodation and salaries free of local taxes.
If you are interested in finding out more about future opportunities at Dukhan English School, please contact
Penny Kontopyrghou
at qp.education@hays.com
Or to find out further information about the school visit: www.des.com.qa
