Amman, Feb. 10 (Petra) – Jordan reaffirmed its commitment to education and administrative reform as key pillars for economic growth and social progress, Education Minister Azmi Mahafzah said on Monday.
Speaking at the official launch of the “Jordan – Modernizing Education, Skills, and Administrative Reforms (MASAR)” Operation, Mahafzah highlighted the initiative’s role in improving education governance, service quality, and learning outcomes in line with the country’s economic modernization vision.
The $400 million program, funded by the World Bank, aims to strengthen administrative policies, enhance governance mechanisms, improve accountability, and boost investment in human capital to ensure sustainable education sector outcomes.
Mahafzah described the initiative as a transformative step aligned with Jordan’s economic modernization strategy and public sector reform roadmap, emphasizing that both frameworks are central to the country’s national development agenda.
“We are grateful to our development partners, particularly the World Bank, for turning this vision into a tangible reality. This partnership translates ambition into action,” he said.
Mahafzah noted that economic modernization and public sector reforms are not merely plans but roadmaps toward a brighter future. “These modernization efforts reflect our commitment to building a knowledge-based economy, creating sustainable job opportunities, and ensuring that our institutions are effective, transparent, and responsive to citizens’ needs,” he added.
The minister outlined key targets, including enrolling an additional 25,000 children in kindergarten (KG2) to expand early childhood education, ensuring quality standards in 4,200 KG classrooms, and enhancing basic skills for 150,000 students in the first three grades of public schools. The program also seeks to graduate 50,000 students from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs in priority sectors, helping to supply the labor market with qualified professionals. Additionally, 70% of teachers and school leaders will be recruited through a new merit-based system to improve education quality.
Calling for broader collaboration, Mahafzah urged international partners, the private sector, and civil society to support education and administrative reforms, emphasizing that the task requires collective effort, innovation, and commitment from all sectors.
Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank Country Director for the Middle East Department, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Jordan’s education reform efforts.
“‘MASAR’ is a milestone initiative in the country’s journey toward a more advanced and resilient education system, ensuring that every child has a strong foundation for success from their first school day to entering the workforce,” Carret said.
He added that Jordan’s economic growth depends on unlocking the potential of its greatest asset its people, particularly youth and women. The program will strengthen early childhood education, expand vocational training, and equip students with the skills needed to navigate economic transformations.
The launch event featured a video showcasing the aspirations of students, teachers, and parents, as well as a panel discussion on the role of education in economic and social development. The panel, moderated by journalist Renada Karadsheh, included Mahafzah, former Moroccan Deputy Interior Minister Noureddine Boutayeb, World Bank Regional Director for Human Development Fadia Saadah, and former Portuguese Deputy Education Minister and Afriou University professor Alexandre Ventura.
Concluding the event, officials underscored the importance of continued collaboration between Jordan, the World Bank, and donors to ensure the program’s successful implementation in line with global best practices, fostering a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable education sector.
//Petra// AF
10/02/2025 22:20:13
