E-Twining Project

The Education System in Jordan

Dr. Mohammed Daoud Al-MajaliMinistry of Education Consultant for E-Learning and Curriculum Digitization2006-2007

INTRODUCTION

Use of ICT in Education Policies in Jordan Education Vision, Goals, Priority

In 1999 His Majesty King Abdullah II articulated his vision that the economic future of Jordan would be found through successful participation in the global knowledge economy, and more particularly in the value-added information technology industries.Jordan is developing a national education strategy from pre-primary to secondary education. The new education sector policy was identifiedJordan will commit $380 million to the Education Reform for Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) program in which ICT in education is a core componentERfKE aims to close skill gaps and improve the quality of education

Use of ICT in Education Policies in Jordan Jordans human development indicators look pretty good in terms of educational attainment.

Under ERfKE, schools will be connected.

The student-computer ratio is improving.

Many initiatives are on-going in various areas such as networking, curriculum development and teacher training.

These activities have to come together to transform teaching and learning to create the knowledge society and economy.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE JORDANIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM early childhood, basic education and secondary educationEarly Childhood Education (Kindergarten 1-2)Basic Education (Grades 1 10)Secondary Academic Education(Grades 11-12)Secondary Vocational Education(Grades 11-12)General Secondary ExamUniversities(4 years)Community Colleges(2 years)Education Structure in JordanNote: (*) VTC = Vocational Training CorporationAges 4-5Ages 6-16Ages 17-18Ages 18-21Ages 18-19Compulsory

As such, around 10-12% of the Governments budget goes to the Ministry of Education (MoE) every year, and is almost entirely spent on basic and secondary educationNote: (*) Other includes expenditures on: General Exams, Vocational Education, Training and Teachers Certification, Curricula and School Textbooks, Special Education, Educational Athletics, Social Activities and LiteracySource: Ministry of Education Statistical Yearbooks, 2000/2001 - 2004/2005Ministry of Education Expenditures(In JD Million)(2002/2003) Ministry of Education Budget(In JD Million)(1994 2004)Basic and Secondary Education AdministrativeOther*Total = JD 256 MillionJD Million4%7%89%23124528630422121840719918015513610%11%11%11%11%11%13%11%11%10%10%0501001502002503003501994199519961997199819992000200120022003Est2004Est0%2%4%6%8%10%12%14%16%As % of Total Government Expenditures

The MoE operates around 3,200 schools and educates more than 70% of school students in JordanSource: Ministry of Education Statistical Yearbooks, 2000/2001 - 2004/2005Ministry of Education Total = 5,348Number of Schools by Authority (2004/2005)Total = 1,531,331Number of Students by Authority (2004/2005)Private Sector UNRWA Military Ministry of Education Private Sector UNRWA MilitaryEducation Authorities

Ministry of Education (MoE)Largest education provider in JordanManages and funds the public school systemMandates curricula to be used by all other providersPrivate SectorPrivately funded schools - can offer other curricula in addition to those mandated by the MoE UNRWAUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East - responsible for providing education to the Palestinian refugees in JordanMilitary Jordans military authority, manages and funds schools for children of military personnel and remote areas39%57%3%1%1%9%70%20%

In 2003, the MoE embarked on an ambitious reform program in order to transform the public education system to meet the requirements of the knowledge economyLife-long learning opportunities for all Jordanians to enable them to keep up with rapid change in the challenges of citizenship and the structure of the economy

Effective linkages between the education system and the economy, supported by accurate labor market information, so that Jordan has the human capacity to undertake rapid economic development

Universal access to advanced information and communication technology including high-speed, broadband connectivity to the Internet

Capacity to conduct research to improve human resource decision-making by government, educators and industry

Open engagement with global partners in education

Promotion of a culture of innovation and responsiveness to the community at the institutional delivery level of the educational systemEducation Requirements for a Knowledge EconomySource: Ministry of Education

This reform program, known as ERfKE, is structured in four componentsEducation Reform for the Knowledge Economy (ERfKE)ERfKE is a multi-donor project whose objective is to support the Government of Jordan to transform the education system at the early childhood, basic, and secondary levels to produce graduates with the skills needed for the knowledge economy.

Re-orient education policy objectives and strategies through governance and administrative reformTransform education programs and practices for the knowledge economyEnsure adequate provision of structurally safe school buildings and improved learning environmentPromote readiness for learning through early childhood educationERfKE Components1234Source: Ministry of EducationERfKE is a multi-donor project whose objective is to support the Government of Jordan to transform the education system at the early childhood, basic, and secondary levels to produce graduates with the skills needed for the knowledge economyPhase 1 of ERfKE covers the period July 2003 to July 2008, with a total budget of $380 millionThe World Bank has provided financial support of $120 million for the plan.Other funders include the United States, Canada, UK, Japan, the European Union, Kuwaits Arab Fund and the Islamic Development Bank

The Jordan Education Initiative, launched in 2003 as a major public-private partnership, is working alongside ERfKE to improve educationJEI is a public-private partnership launched in June 2003 with the support of the World Economic Forum , and is being marketed as a mechanism for enabling and accelerating social and economic development across the region JEI is designed to improve education through the effective use of ICT and to demonstrate how ICT enables new systems and benefits schools and pupilsDevelopment of an e-learning curriculum and piloting in 100 Discovery SchoolsPrivate organizations are investing around $15 million, in addition to $5-$6 million from the government JEI has 200 participants, including:Government entities (Ministry of Education, Ministry of ICT)Non-governmental entities (e.g. World Economic Forum)17 global corporations (e.g. Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM)17 local entities (e.g. Fastlink, Rubicon, Jordan Telecom, Menhaj and Integrated Technology Group)

Source: Ministry of Education; ERfKE Draft Aide Memoire, March 2005, World Bank Jordan Education Initiative (JEI)

Such efforts have led to notable progress in expanding ICT infrastructure in public schoolsSource: Social and Economic Transformation Program (SETP) Achievements Report, Ministry of Planning; ERfKE Project- Monitoring and Assessment of the Implementation of ICT in Schools, July 2004, Ministry of EducationCAGR(2001-2004)80.8%37201543Student/PC RatioMoE Schools with Internet/Intranet Connections (2002-2004)Number of Computers in MoE Schools(In 000)(2001-2004)CAGR(2002-2004)100%40%67%17%As % of TotalSecondary School Internet/Intranet Access(2003)Secondary School Student to PC Ratio(2003)72%134124201312118ThailandBelgiumJapanJordan '05IsraelSingaporeCanada100%98%72%58%53%41%25%SingaporeCanadaJordan '05JapanIsraelBelgiumThailand5001,2002,0102,200200220032004May, 2005

ICT Training

E-Curriculum

THANKS DTQS