Edmonton schools renew Arabic course tied to board's Qatari partnership
Board maintains a formal partnership with Qatar charity, which U.S. researchers describe as a vehicle for Qatari "soft power" influence.
Edmonton Public Schools has renewed an Arabic Language and Culture course that has been operating in the school board since 2011, while maintaining a longstanding partnership with a Qatari charity—Qatar Foundation International.
The organization recently announced it was winding down its U.S. operations after American researchers alleged it had used language programs, teacher training, and educational partnerships as a vehicle for advancing Qatari soft power in schools and universities.
Edmonton schools told Juno News that the course has operated since 2011 and currently serves 168 students, but did not answer questions about whether QFI has played any role in Arabic programming delivered by the board.
An Edmonton Journal article reported that the board signed off on a “locally developed” course. Chair Saadiq Sumar told the paper it would give students the chance to learn Arabic as a new language or maintain it as a mother tongue, while also studying Arabic culture.
