Amman: The Prime Ministry 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.
According to Jordan News Agency, 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 artificia
l intelligence 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 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 such as the approval of the 2024 Student Support Fund System for public universities, with allocations increasing to JD 30 million by 2025-2026, and the implementation of a new high school system from the 2024-2025 academic year, offering academic and vocational tracks. Other developments include the identification of eligible university programmes for BTEC graduates, and the approval of a new system regulating academic work in public universities and colleges.
Key achievements from the educa
tion sector between 2023 and 2025 were also noted, including the construction of 89 new schools and 109 classroom expansions, maintenance to reduce overcrowding, and equipping computer labs to enable electronic high school exams. The implementation of the BTEC vocational and technical system in 331 public schools, inclusion of students with disabilities in inclusive education programmes, and an increase in foreign students enrolled in Jordanian universities were also highlighted.
Mahafzah noted positive impact indicators such as Jordan’s improved rank in the Global Knowledge Index, increased enrollment in primary and secondary education, and vocational and technical education. The second executive programme will focus on expanding school construction, enhancing digital education, digitising examination systems, reforming university admissions policies, and expanding the Student Support Fund’s coverage.
Minister of Labour Khaled Bakkar also presented recommendations and challenges in the vocational and techn
ical training sector. Key initiatives include establishing advanced vocational training centres, aligning training programmes with future professions, and developing a unified information system to link training outcomes with labour market needs. Bakkar noted that 10 projects have been implemented under the first executive programme, with six completed and four still in progress.