RAJESH MISHRA

DOHA OXFORD Learning Centre, one of the leading institutes in supplementary education in Qatar, Kuwait, the USA and Canada, is all set to open its second branch in Al Thammama area on E Ring Road on March 31.

Oxford Learning Centre’s after–school and summer programmes provide remedial and enrichment support for children from pre-school through high school in English, Mathematics, Science as well as study and learning (cognitive) skills. The institute also provides homework support to the students.

Talking to Qatar Tribune on Wednesday, Education Coordinator at the centre Ellie Shipton said, “There is a strong demand for supplementary courses among Qatari students as most of them have English as their second language. Since the opening of the institute in May 2009, its popularity has grown manifold with the number of students increasing from 20 in 2009 to 70 this year, 85 to 90 percent of them being Qataris. Majority of students are at middle school level between grade five and grade eight” She said that limited seats were available at the centre because of the institute’s focus on quality. She added that the students were offered admission on first-come-first-serve basis.

According to her, the seat limit was 85 at one centre.

In a press release issued by the institute, the centre’s owner Areej al Ghanim said, “Our programmes typically run between three to six hours a week and are open to students from all educational backgrounds, whether from private or independent schools”.

“Oxford Learning is different from other institutes because we teach children how to learn by assessing their academic and cognitive aptitudes and implementing an individualised curriculum tailored to their profiles.

Our research-based approach builds skills for life, while complementing the student’s school lessons, bridging gaps and providing new challenges. Children are thus given the tools to succeed in all examinations,” al Ghanim explained.

“In North America, learning centres are steadily becoming the norm. The large class sizes simply cannot meet the needs of all students and parents are often at cross-roads wondering where to turn to find the necessary support for their kids. Most of them cannot afford to spend two to three hours every night going over concepts their children didn’t understand or working through homework”, al Ghanim added.