Amman, August 25 (Petra) The Prime Ministry on Tuesday hosted a sectoral session dedicated to the education sector, as part of ongoing efforts to prepare the second executive programme (2026–2029) of the Economic Modernisation Vision.

Experts and specialists reviewed strategic objectives for the education sector, highlighted key accomplishments from the first executive programme (2023–2025), and discussed projects currently under implementation.

The session examined recommendations from the education sector workshop held earlier at the Royal Court.

Discussions covered the methodology for selecting new and proposed projects for inclusion in the second executive programme.

Special focus was placed on vocational and technical training initiatives, digital education, early childhood development and the role of school leadership in implementing classroom-level innovation.

Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening early childhood education, enhancing nursery enrollment and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into educational programmes and curricula.

The need for a clear vocational education strategy and alignment with labour market demands was also raised.

Minister of Education Outlines Key Achievements and Goals

Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah presented the sector's strategic objectives, including providing equitable, high-quality early and higher education; fostering critical thinking, leadership and innovation; and preparing a workforce with advanced professional and technical skills aligned with labor market needs.

He highlighted several major developments:
Approval of the 2024 Student Support Fund System for public universities, with allocations increasing to JD 30 million by 2025–2026 (a 50% rise).

Implementation of a new high school system from the 2024–2025 academic year, offering academic and vocational tracks.

Identification of eligible university programmes for BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) graduates, beginning in 2026–2027.

Approval of a new system regulating academic work in public universities and colleges (2023).

Key Education Sector Achievements (2023–2025):

Construction of 89 new schools and 109 classroom expansions.

Maintenance of 2,718 schools to reduce overcrowding and eliminate rented or double-shift schools.

Equipping 1,079 computer labs to enable over 20,000 students to take electronic high school exams.

Implementation of the BTEC vocational and technical system in 331 public schools, with 12 new specialisations introduced.

Inclusion of 30,000 students with disabilities in inclusive education programsme.

Provision of pre-service training diplomas to 10,830 teachers in cooperation with four public universities.

Training 1,900 kindergarten teachers and administrators.

An 11% increase in foreign students enrolled in Jordanian universities, reaching 51,647 students from 113 countries.

Mahafzah noted positive impact indicators:

Jordan’s rank in the Global Knowledge Index improved to 88 out of 141 (2024).

Primary education enrollment reached 97.6%; secondary education 82.4% (2024).

Vocational and technical education enrollment reached 12.2% (2023).

6.7% of schools are now equipped to support inclusive education (2024).

Future Priorities for Education Sector (2026–2029)

The second executive programme will focus on:

Expanding school construction and eliminating rented schools.

Enhancing digital education through AI, tablets and e-learning systems.

Digitising examination systems.

Reforming university admissions policies.

Expanding the Student Support Fund’s coverage.

Vocational Training and Labour Sector Initiatives

Minister of Labour Khaled Bakkar presented recommendations and challenges in the vocational and technical training sector. Key initiatives include:

Establishing advanced vocational training centres and modernising existing institutes.

Aligning training programmes with future professions and global technologies.

Developing a unified information system to link training outcomes with labour market needs.

Mapping educational and vocational qualifications to a national qualifications framework.

Bakkar noted that 10 projects have been implemented under the first executive programme, with six completed and four still in progress.

//Petra// AK

26/08/2025 23:34:15