Amman, March 17 (Petra) -- Experts and specialists have described the launch of the first phase of Jordan’s school transport project as a pioneering initiative in the kingdom, marking a step with both economic and developmental dimensions through effective partnership with the private sector.

In statements to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), they said the project is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact on students and the educational system by addressing long-standing transportation challenges, particularly in remote areas. The project provides integrated, free school transport for public school students, alleviating financial burdens on families, supporting regular school attendance, and enhancing academic achievement over the medium and long term.

Financial and economic expert Mohammed Al-Hadab said the school transport project is not merely a logistical service, but a direct investment in human capital and a lever for improving national economic efficiency by enhancing access to education and raising societal productivity over the long term.

Al-Hadab noted that the initiative reflects the King’s ongoing commitment to developing education and improving public services, emphasizing that investing in Jordanian citizens is the foundation for sustainable development. He added that this initiative represents a first step that can expand in the future to include all governorates.

He also highlighted the project’s immediate economic benefits for households, particularly those with low and middle incomes, by reducing transportation costs and saving parents time and effort, which can be redirected to economic activities or additional work, positively affecting family productivity and the labor market.

Al-Hadab explained that linking school transport development with public transport projects enhances the efficiency of the national transport system, creating an integrated model connecting education with economic development, especially in underprivileged areas.

He affirmed that the initiative aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision, which focuses on improving essential services and investing in human capital as a key driver of sustainable growth, strengthening Jordan’s capacity to achieve more inclusive and sustainable economic development across all regions.

Educational consultant and expert Faisal Al-Tayeh said the launch of the first phase of the school transport project in partnership with the private sector and international expertise represents a long-awaited "sovereign decision" and a national response to end years of chaotic conditions that burdened Jordanian families. He added that the project reflects a genuine commitment to making student safety and security a top priority within the national modernization framework.

Al-Tayeh said the project’s added value extends beyond transportation to the core of the educational process. Its free and comprehensive service, starting in desert and southern regions, will directly reduce school dropout rates and ease citizens’ living costs, providing students with a stable environment conducive to academic achievement and excellence. He concluded that the initiative is expected to form the foundation for expansion across all governorates, emphasizing that the project’s success depends on sustained field oversight and strict law enforcement, as investing in Jordanian safety is among the highest forms of investment in the nation’s future.

Economic expert Hussam Ayesh said the government’s announcement of the school transport project represents a step forward in modernizing the transport sector, improving student safety, and advancing educational quality. He described the project as important for reducing accidents and fostering students’ sense of care from their community and state, instilling patriotism and societal belonging.

From an economic perspective, Ayesh said the project is inherently an economic initiative, representing investment in the transport sector and creating additional employment opportunities. He noted that the project will reduce costs for families, enabling further spending on essential needs or savings, constituting indirect government support for citizens. He added that with over 3,000 schools in Jordan, the initiative establishes a new branch of the economy, providing hundreds of jobs.

Economic analyst Khalid Al Rababa described the Cabinet’s decision to implement the school transport project in partnership with the private sector as a strategic move with economic and developmental implications, extending beyond transport to support the education system and local development.

He said the project serves as a practical model of public-private partnership, combining government and private sector expertise and resources to provide a basic service for students free of charge and safely. He added that the initiative will stimulate the local economy by creating direct employment and supporting sectors such as maintenance and logistics while improving government spending efficiency through investment in projects with high social returns.

Al Rababa noted that providing free and organized school transport will positively impact student attendance and the educational process, enhancing human capital quality over the long term, a key component of sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the project’s integration with public transport development plans, including inter-governorate and rapid bus projects, which improve infrastructure efficiency and reduce citizen costs.

He described the project as a balanced social and economic investment, combining education quality improvement, transport infrastructure development, and local employment support, reflecting the government’s vision to strengthen public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable development aligned with the Economic Modernization Vision and related implementation programs.

The Cabinet approved the project as part of a government initiative to enhance public spending efficiency and stimulate investment in service infrastructure, marking a qualitative shift in managing the educational transport sector through modern operational models balancing service quality and financial sustainability.

Under the implementation plan, the first phase will launch in southern desert areas, targeting 60 schools across the Karak, Tafila, Ma’an, and Aqaba governorates, with gradual expansion to cover all governorates, particularly central and northern desert regions, reflecting a comprehensive vision to reduce developmental disparities across regions.

//Petra// AF

17/03/2026 22:45:00