Day: May 3, 2026

Irbid: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan inaugurated the Maru Secondary School for Girls in the Irbid Governorate on Sunday, marking a pivotal step in a national initiative to construct 100 new schools across the Kingdom. The project, launched last year, represents a strategic partnership between the government and the private sector to modernize Jordan’s educational infrastructure.

According to Jordan News Agency, during the inauguration, which took place ahead of a Cabinet session in the governorate, Hassan commended the Association of Banks in Jordan for financing 19 schools in the first phase. He noted that such collaborations are essential to meeting the demands of urban expansion and ensuring every student has access to a modern learning environment.

Accompanied by Education Minister Azmi Mahafzah and Association of Banks Chairman Bassem Al-Salem, the Prime Minister toured the new facility. Designed to international environmental and sustainability standards, the school accommodates 500 students and include
s specialized laboratories, kindergartens, and full accessibility for students with disabilities. The campus is also equipped with a theater and sports fields to foster extracurricular development and community engagement.

The Ministry of Education has already taken delivery of six schools under this initial phase, three of which will begin operations at the start of the next academic year. An additional 11 schools are slated for completion before the school year begins, with two more currently in the final design stages for a March 2027 opening.

The second phase of the initiative is already in motion, with engineering plans being finalized for another 19 schools across various governorates. Officials emphasized that site selection is driven by urgent local needs, specifically targeting the elimination of rented school buildings and the “double-shift” system that currently contributes to classroom overcrowding.

Complementing the infrastructure push, the government also announced a pilot for a free public s
chool transport system. Launching in the Southern Badia regions at the start of the next academic year, the program is set to expand gradually to serve students across all governorates in the Kingdom.

Amman: A Jordanian-Syrian higher education dialogue forum commenced at the German Jordanian University, as part of an initiative to support, enhance, and modernize Syria’s higher education system sustainably, in collaboration with Jordanian and German institutions.

According to Jordan News Agency, the project receives backing from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is funded by Germany’s foreign ministry, demonstrating Berlin’s commitment to the development of higher education and strengthening international academic ties. Syria’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan Halabi, emphasized the need for academic openness and strategic partnerships to elevate the quality of education and research.

German Deputy Ambassador Guido Kemmerling reiterated Germany’s support for Syria during its transition, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and academic exchange in bolstering the higher education sector. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, President of the German Jordanian University, expressed the university’s dedication to supporting and developing Syria’s higher education sector by providing an institutional platform for academic dialogue and promoting cooperation among stakeholders.

During a panel titled “Alliance for Syrian Higher Education,” discussions were held between Jordan’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah, Syrian counterpart Marwan Jameel Halabi, Al-Halhouli, and DAAD Director Stefan Bieneveld. They explored opportunities for integration between higher education systems in the three countries and the potential for building strategic academic alliances to support development and regional cooperation.

The session aimed to translate the project’s objectives into a strategic dialogue focused on creating an effective alliance framework to revitalize Syria’s academic environment and strengthen its renewal capacity through sustainable cooperation based on knowledge and expertise exchange.

A closed-door session brought together presidents of Jordanian public universities and their Syrian counterparts to discuss mechanisms for academic networking and direct partnerships, focusing on advancing cooperation in education, scientific research, and the exchange of academic and administrative expertise.

Ralf Roskopf, Vice President for International Affairs at the German Jordanian University and project director, outlined the project’s goals, which include organizing dialogue events between ministry representatives and university presidents in Jordan and Syria, stakeholder meetings in Amman and Brussels, workshops, training programs, and academic and administrative mentoring for Syrian staff, along with two scientific conferences.

He noted that the activities are based on an evidence-driven methodology derived from interviews and field observations during a fact-finding mission in Syria, complemented by a survey and findings from a study by the German-Syrian Research Society (DSFG) in Germany in 2025.

Dhafer Al-Sarayrah, President of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (AQACHEI), participated in the forum, highlighting the body’s role in promoting accreditation and quality standards, ensuring competitive educational outcomes, strengthening academic governance, supporting continuous improvement, and aligning programs with labor market needs.

Gaza: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights declared Gaza to be “the most dangerous place in the world for journalists,” highlighting the peril faced by media workers as the death toll among them approaches 300 during the ongoing conflict.

According to Jordan News Agency, the UN released a statement on the X platform on Sunday, urging nations globally to go “beyond words of condemnation and solidarity.” The call to action focused on the need for concrete measures to ensure accountability, safeguard journalists, and enable independent international media access to the region.

Volker Trk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that the conflict in Gaza has transformed into “a deadly trap for the media.” He underscored that his office has verified the deaths of nearly 300 journalists, in addition to numerous others who have sustained injuries since October 2023.

Amman: Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi held a phone call on Sunday with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss regional developments and efforts to promote stability.

According to Jordan News Agency, Safadi discussed ongoing efforts to reach a US-Iranian agreement that builds on the current ceasefire and leads to a comprehensive solution ensuring calm, security, and stability in the region. He praised Pakistan for helping to de-escalate tensions and addressing their regional and international repercussions.

The top diplomats reviewed ways to strengthen ties, reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors and maintaining close consultation and coordination on issues of mutual concern.

Amman: On behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti honoured the commander of the National Service Training Centre in recognition of his efforts in managing and implementing the training programme.

According to Jordan News Agency, Huneiti conveyed the Crown Prince’s greetings and appreciation for the high standards achieved by the centre, noting that the level of discipline and efficiency reflects the professionalism and readiness of the Jordan Armed Forces.

Huneiti stated that the centre’s programmes play a key role in preparing a generation of young people equipped with knowledge, skills, and physical and moral readiness. He emphasized that the training strengthens values of national belonging and responsibility, while promoting teamwork and self-reliance.

Huneiti highlighted that these efforts align with a comprehensive vision to enhance discipline, develop individual capabilities, and meet the requirements of national service, ultimately contributing to strengthening overall national readiness.