Doha: Qatar Foundation for Education (QF) has launched the accreditation framework for the "Rasekh" initiative, aimed at aligning international education with local cultural and linguistic identity. The Foundation also announced the inaugural cohort of schools from Qatar and the wider region that will embark on this educational pathway. The announcement was made during the "Rasekh" Forum, convened at the Multaqa Building in the Education City Student Center, in the presence of Yousuf Al Naama, Chief Executive Officer of QF, alongside leaders of international private schools and local and international education partners.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event marked a new phase in the implementation of the initiative, established by QF's Pre-University Education. Rasekh supports schools in strengthening Arabic as a language of learning and knowledge production, while aligning international curricula with the local context, embedding core values into daily school life, and directing innovation toward community needs and local challenges.
During the forum, QF unveiled the first cohort of participating institutions, comprising QF schools and international private schools from Qatar and the region, thereby laying the groundwork for expanding the reach of Rasekh in the future. The forum also featured the launch of the "Roots" (Juthoor) awareness campaign, designed to bring the message of Rasekh closer to the community through a symbolic identity reflecting the initiative's role in supporting the Arabic language and reinforcing values and identity.
The campaign is anchored in three principal messages: "Roots Empower the Arabic Language", "Roots Instill Values", and "Roots Reinforce Identity". These messages stem from the campaign's overarching theme, "Toward an Education that Deepens Roots and Creates Lasting Impact". Through a contemporary Arab visual identity, the campaign targets parents, students, and the wider community through diverse digital content.
Participants at the forum discussed ways to benefit from Rasekh accreditation as a practical and measurable roadmap that enables schools to align educational processes with the local context without compromising international academic standards. In this regard, Vice President of Strategic Educational Initiatives at QF's Pre-University Education (PUE), Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, remarked on Rasekh's role in advancing international education in Qatar. It encompasses educational quality beyond the curriculum, focusing on students' self-perception, language, environment, and values.
The forum also witnessed the launch of the Rasekh Framework and Accreditation Model, alongside a presentation entitled "Rasekh Ecosystem: Resources and Initiatives", delivered by Mariam Al Hajri, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at QF's Pre-University Education. A panel discussion featured experts from UNESCO, International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and Tarsheed Foundation, highlighting their support for bilingualism, curriculum localization, and value promotion within international education.
The Rasekh framework is built upon four standards that translate its objectives into practical and measurable school-based practices. These include strengthening Arabic as a language of identity and knowledge production; localizing curricula by aligning international standards with local contexts; embedding ethical and citizenship values; and fostering both local and global innovation.
In addition to QF schools, the inaugural cohort of Rasekh schools includes Al Maha Academy for Boys, Al Maha Academy for Girls, Al Jazeera Academy, Arab International Academy Doha, Arab International Academy Lusail, Al Baccalaureate School - Amman in Jordan, and Hossam Eddine Hariri High School in Lebanon. The inaugural cohort is expected to contribute to developing practical models demonstrating how international schools can adopt the Rasekh framework to enhance educational quality, strengthen institutional identity, and improve student outcomes.
The Rasekh accreditation pathway consists of integrated stages, including application, self-assessment, external review, accreditation, and periodic reviews aimed at continuous improvement. Schools fulfilling the framework's requirements will receive Rasekh accreditation certification, the right to use the Rasekh Quality Mark, and membership in the Rasekh Schools Network, benefiting from sustained professional and educational support designed to deepen and reinforce the framework's long-term impact.