Education in Jordan

The education system of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan includes basic, secondary, and higher education and has grown a lot since the country began in the early 1900s. A good education has helped Jordan change from a place where most people worked in farming to a more advanced and industrialized nation.

Jordan has more researchers in research and development per million people than any other country in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. There are 8,060 researchers for every million people in Jordan, which is much higher than the world average.

In 2003, the government spent 13.5 percent of its money on education. By 2012, Jordan had the lowest rate of people who cannot read or write in the Arab world, at just 8.9 percent. Most children go to primary school, and almost all of them continue to secondary school. Jordan’s education system is seen as a good model for other countries in the region, and it ranks seventh among Arab countries in education quality. The Ministry of Education of Jordan handles primary and secondary schools, while the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research looks after colleges and universities.

Education in Jordan

Jordan's education system starts with two years of preschool, followed by 10 years of required basic education, and two optional years of secondary education. Public schools provide free education for everyone, teaching mainly in Arabic and requiring English as a subject for ten years. The country also has two special universities, nine university colleges, one regional university, and 39 community colleges.

Education Management System

The Ministry of Education oversees preschool, primary, and secondary education in Jordan. Higher education is managed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which includes councils for higher education and accreditation. This ministry created a plan for higher education from 2007 to 2012.

Technical and vocational training for older students is handled by the Vocational Training Corporation, under the Ministry of Labor.

School Education

Jordan’s education system starts with two years of preschool, followed by ten years of required basic education, and ends with two years of secondary school. Students then take a big exam called the General Certificate of Secondary Education (Tawjihi). Both basic and secondary education in public schools are free.

Basic Education

Basic education lasts ten years and is required and free for all children from grades 1 to 10. Books are provided by the Ministry of Education. Children must stay in school until they are sixteen.

Over half of Jordan’s people are under thirty years old. Many are still in school. In 2007/2008, about 96% of children were enrolled in primary school, which is better than most other countries in the area. Jordan also makes sure boys and girls have almost the same chances to go to school. Public schools cost less for poor families compared to other education levels.

There are two types of schools: public and private. Private schools are popular, especially in Amman, the capital. But they cost a lot — from $1000 to $7000, which is very expensive for many families.

Secondary education

Students in secondary school can choose between a science track or a more general track. All students study Arabic, English, mathematics, and computer studies. They also study science subjects like biology and physics if they choose the science track, or history if they choose the general track. All students learn about Islam, except Christian students. Plans are being made to change the secondary system starting in 2020.

After two years, students take the Tawjihi exam. If they pass, they can go to university or get a job, depending on their skills. Some students choose vocational training instead, which gives them job skills but not the Tawjihi certificate.

Most students move from primary to secondary school — about 99% as of 2013. In international tests, Jordanian students do well compared to others.

Curriculum in Schools

Jordan’s schools teach many subjects to prepare students for future education and jobs. Core subjects include Arabic, English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Arabic and literature are very important. English is taught from the first grade because it is used around the world. Mathematics and science help students think and solve problems, which is important for jobs like engineering and medicine. Students also learn about religion, physical education, and information technology.

Most schools follow the same plan set by the Ministry of Education, but private and international schools can choose different subjects, like arts or more languages.

Students in Jordan like learning English, and both boys and girls feel the same way. English is taught from the first grade to help students succeed in school and jobs worldwide. However, schools in cities often have better resources and teachers than schools in the countryside.

UNRWA in Jordan

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) runs one of the biggest school systems in the Middle East. It has been giving basic and preparatory education to Palestinian refugees for almost 50 years. In Jordan, UNRWA offers free basic education to all Palestinian refugee children. There are also special training courses in eight centers, two of which are in Jordan, and these have been running for about 40 years. UNRWA also has an Institute of Education in Amman to train its teachers.

In Jordan, not all refugee children go to UNRWA schools. Many Palestinian refugees can send their children to government schools, and many choose to do this. Most UNRWA schools have more than one shift of students each day. About 83 percent of UNRWA elementary schools and 62 percent of UNRWA preparatory schools run in double shifts. The Jordan area has the most schools with double shifts, with about 93 percent of schools running this way.

Education Reform Efforts

The most recent education reforms in Jordan started in the early 1990s. Under King Abdullah II, these reforms sped up in 2001 with a goal to make Jordan a leader in technology and a strong part of the global economy.

In late 2002, Jordan created a plan called the National Vision and Mission for Education. Two important documents, Jordan Vision 2020 and the 2002 Vision Forum for the Future of Education, helped shape this plan. These documents covered education from kindergarten through adult learning. In July 2003, Jordan began a big 10-year program called the Education Reform for the Knowledge Economy Program (ErfKE), with help from the World Bank. This program aimed to improve schools and help young children learn better. The program had two phases, the first from 2003 to 2009 and the second from 2009 to 2015, focusing on teaching quality and school policies.

Jordan’s Education Initiative won a UNESCO prize for using technology in learning. This project uses information and technology to change how students learn in schools.

Online Education

Darsak is a free online platform in Jordan that offers video lessons for students from grade 1 to 12, following the Jordanian school curriculum. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Education used Darsak to keep learning going when classrooms were not available.

Higher education

See also: Academic ranks in Jordan

In Jordan, a little more than 2.5% of the people go to university, which is about the same as in the United Kingdom.

Anyone who finishes their secondary school exams can go to a community college or a university, either private or public. Universities use a system where students can pick courses based on a study plan.

Jordan's higher education has grown a lot in recent years. Between 2000/2001 and 2006/2007, the number of students going to university grew very fast, from 77,841 to 218,900. About 40% of people in Jordan go to some kind of college or university, which is more than the average in the area. There are now 10 public universities, with three new ones opening recently.

Most universities in Jordan are private, making up 18 out of 28. These private schools take in about a quarter of all university students. Even private schools have seen more students in recent years. However, fewer people are going to community colleges because many prefer the four-year university programs.

As more students want to go to university, the government is being asked to put more money into improving schools and making sure there is enough space for everyone. Some private schools also need to change how they pick students, because right now they can only take a certain number. By 2013, it's expected that 92,000 students will start university each year, up from 50,469 in 2005.

Universities in Jordan

Jordan has a strong education system that helps prepare students and workers for the country's growth. The universities offer many different programs to help people learn new skills.

َUniversities in Amman

• University of Jordan
• Applied Science Private University
• German Jordanian University
• Al-Isra University
• Princess Sumaya University for Technology
• University of Petra
• Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
• World Islamic Sciences and Education University
• Middle East University (Jordan)

Universities in north

• Yarmouk University
• Jordan University of Science and Technology
• Irbid National University
• Jadara University
• Al al-Bayt University
• Philadelphia University (Jordan)
• Jerash University
• Ajloun National Private University

Universities in the south

• Mutah University
• Al-Hussain Ben talal University
• Al Tafilah University of technology
• University of Jordan in al aqaba

University Level Studies

Most universities in Jordan use systems from English and American styles and work with many universities in those countries. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete. However, some fields like Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Engineering take five years, and Medicine takes six years plus one more year for training.

After finishing a bachelor's degree, students can choose to study for one to two more years to earn a Master's degree. This can be done by taking classes and writing a thesis, or just by taking classes and passing an exam. There are also other types of degrees similar to a Master's in some universities.

Finally, a Doctorate degree needs three to five more years of study and writing a special research paper. It includes both classes and research work.

Teachers in basic and primary schools need a bachelor's degree. Teachers in secondary schools need a bachelor's degree plus a special one-year training course. Teachers at the university level usually need a Doctorate, though sometimes a Master's degree is enough.

Jordan also offers distance learning through the Arab Open University.

Non-University Level Studies

Jordan offers special training programs that are not for university students. These programs last two to three years and can be taken at community colleges. Anyone who finished secondary school can join. The courses cover topics like arts, science, management, business, and engineering. Since 1997, these colleges have been overseen by Al-Balqa Applied University.

After finishing the program, students take a big test called Al-Shamel. If they pass, they receive a diploma or associate degree.

Lifelong Higher Education

Jordan offers many chances for people to keep learning throughout their lives. You can study at public or private universities, community colleges, and special centers like the Royal Scientific Society. There are courses in many useful subjects such as engineering, computers, languages, and business.

These courses can last from one week to six months. After finishing, students receive a certificate. Some courses need work experience in a certain job before you can join. This helps people improve their skills for different jobs.

Challenges

Jordan has made big improvements in its education system, but it still faces some challenges. One big challenge is the growing number of young people and students. Many people have moved to Jordan looking for safety, which means schools and universities have more students than before. Studies show that the number of students is expected to grow a lot between 2008 and 2013. To handle all these students, Jordan needs to build many new classrooms. However, some areas have too many schools, while others have schools that are too full.