Qatar Launches Summer 2026 Student Activity Centres

Doha: Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has announced the launch of its Summer 2026 Student Activity Centres. The programme runs from July 5 to August 3, 2026. Sessions take place daily from 9am to 1pm, Sunday through Thursday.

Parents across Qatar can now look forward to a structured, productive summer for their children. The centres offer a rich mix of educational, cultural, recreational and skills-based activities. These are not just day camps. They are purpose-built learning environments designed to stretch young minds during the long summer break.

Who Can Register for the Summer 2026 Centres

The programme targets children and students between the ages of 6 and 18. Three groups are eligible to register. The first group is students enrolled in government schools. The second is Qatari students attending private schools. The third, and importantly, includes students with disabilities, who will have their own dedicated inclusive centre.

This broad eligibility means the programme serves both Qatari nationals and resident families with children in Qatar's public school system.

Where the Centres Are Located

MoEHE has selected five school campuses across Qatar to host the summer programme. Each centre operates separately for boys, girls and students with special needs.

For boys, two centres will run this summer. The first is Khalifa Secondary School for Boys in Doha. The second is Al Khor Secondary School for Boys in Al Khor. These locations ensure families in both central Doha and the northern city of Al Khor have easy access to the programme.

For girls, two matching centres operate at Amna bint Wahab Secondary School for Girls and Al Khor Secondary School for Girls. Again, both Doha and Al Khor are covered.

Students with disabilities have a dedicated centre at Al Hidaya School for Special Needs, Al Hilal Campus for Boys. This ensures inclusive access and access to programmes built around their specific needs and learning styles.

How to Register Through the Maaref Portal

Registration for the Summer 2026 centres opens through the Maaref Public Services Portal. MoEHE has confirmed the official registration date will be announced shortly.

Parents who have used the Maaref portal before will find the process familiar. The portal handles all school-related applications digitally, including enrolment, registration and service requests. Guardians need an active Maaref account to register their child. If you do not have one, setting it up is the essential first step before the registration window opens.

MoEHE strongly encourages parents to act as soon as registration opens. Spaces at each centre are limited, and demand for summer programmes has grown steadily in recent years.

What Activities the Centres Offer

The Summer 2026 Student Activity Centres deliver a comprehensive mix of programmes. Based on the structure of previous editions, activities span several broad areas.

Educational and digital activities include sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity awareness, digital solutions and technology workshops. These equip students with skills that matter well beyond the classroom.

Creative and cultural activities cover arts, design and literature workshops alongside public speaking and leadership development sessions. Students develop confidence and expression in a structured but relaxed environment.

Sports and health activities keep students physically active during the summer. These include organised team sports and sessions promoting mental and physical wellbeing.

Values and community activities focus on citizenship, national identity and volunteering. Religious lectures promoting Islamic values are also part of the programme. Students develop a stronger sense of belonging and social responsibility.

The 2025 edition of the same programme included field visits to national landmarks such as the Qatar National Museum and the Qatar Media Corporation. It also featured the School Innovation Incubators initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Qatar Scientific Club. Students worked with robotics, 3D printing and entrepreneurship tools. Similar or expanded initiatives are expected for 2026.

The programme runs in cooperation with several government and institutional partners. Previous editions involved the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Qatar National Library, Qatar Museums, Aspire Academy, Qatar Scientific Club, Dar Katateeb and the Qatar Red Crescent.

Why MoEHE Runs These Centres Every Summer

The summer break in Qatar runs for approximately three months. That is a long stretch of unstructured time for school-age children. Screen time rises. Physical activity drops. Learning momentum built during the school year can fade quickly.

MoEHE introduced summer student activity centres as a direct response to this challenge. The initiative gives families a safe, engaging option that keeps children active and learning. It also keeps them socially connected during a period when school friendships are typically put on hold.

The programme contributes directly to Qatar National Vision 2030. The Vision's human development pillar emphasises building capable, well-rounded future citizens. Investing in children during their free time, not just during term time, reflects that long-term thinking.

MoEHE's strategy is clear. Building an integrated educational system means supporting students in every season, not just the academic year.

What Parents Need to Know Right Now

Mark July 5 as your child's start date if they register. Sessions run from 9am to 1pm each weekday. The programme concludes on August 3, giving families the final weeks of August as unstructured family time before the next school year begins.

Watch the official MoEHE channels on X for the registration opening date. Once that date is confirmed, log in to the Maaref portal and complete registration promptly.

For families with children who have disabilities, the Al Hidaya School for Special Needs at Al Hilal Campus is the dedicated venue. Contact MoEHE directly if you need clarification on eligibility or specific programme details for that centre.

Summer in Qatar does not have to mean weeks on end indoors with screens. These centres give children a reason to show up, engage and grow during what would otherwise be the quietest months of the year.