Qatari Students to Benefit from New Learning Resources

Pearson and ScorePlus to provide programmes that will help overcome learning challenges in Qatar

Doha, Qatar, 1st September 2013 – Pearson, the world’s largest education company, and StudyPlus, a subsidiary of ScorePlus Middle East, have announced a partnership which will see thousands of school children in Qatar provided with state-of-the-art learning programmes at their newly established Centre at Al Saad Doha.

The programmes cover key areas in Qatar’s mathematics, literacy and English language curricula and have been specially developed to overcome the learning challenges commonly faced by students in these areas.

The programmes include Mathematics Navigator, a highly flexible learning tool designed to overcome misconceptions and fill critical gaps in students’ mathematics knowledge by building students’ conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. Students’ algebra skills will also benefit through the use of Onramp to Algebra, a programme designed to ensure students are adequately prepared for advanced algebra instruction.

Literacy Navigator will also be implemented under the project to develop Qatari students’ skills in comprehending informational text and to help students navigate the texts found in their content area classes, such as science and social studies.

English language development will be assisted through the implementation of the Language Centralprogramme in schools, targeting a student’s conceptual understanding, academic vocabulary, written and oral language and comprehension skills.

Nigel Kelly, Head of Middle East publishing at Pearson, is convinced that the availability of these programmes in Qatar will help the country’s students achieve their learning potential, and play a key role in realising the Qatari Government’s goal of creating a competitive, knowledge based economy.

“Under the Qatari National Vision 2030, the Qatari Government is seeking to create a diversified economy reliant on a number of sectors other than just the oil and gas industries. In order to achieve this goal, the Government understands that it needs an advanced educational system, and increased participation in the workforce by nationals. The provision of programmes such as the Math and Numeracy Navigator will contribute in a small but significant way to the fulfilment of this ambitious vision”.

Mr Hukumat Kalwani, Chairman and Managing Director at ScorePlus Middle East believes the two companies are well placed to deliver the new initiative:

“ScorePlus has branches in Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE and has been established in the Middle East for a number of years. We have worked with students and schools across the region, providing internationally acclaimed programmes. These include the English language programme,Inlingua, andthe world famous Princeton Review Test Preparation courses for SAT, TOEFL and IELTS. This experience has given us an insight into the unique learning needs of students in Qatar and the local knowledge necessary to deliver educational programmes that make a real difference to those that undertake them.”

Pearson and ScorePlus hope their partnership will raise the standard of literacy and mathematics in classrooms across Qatar, benefiting those students who are most at risk of falling behind their peers. Mr Kelly says:

“In almost every classroom in the world there are students who struggle to keep pace. By partnering with ScorePlus to deliver these internationally acclaimed educational resources, we can help all students, including those with learning difficulties, to overcome the challenges they face and achieve their best possible results. Pearson firmly believes that every child has the potential to succeed in their education, and the introduction of these programmes into Qatari schools is another way we are making our vision a reality.”