Education: The Ultimate Catalyst for Jordan’s Development By Rasha Istaiteyeh

Education: The Ultimate Catalyst for Jordan's Development By Rasha Istaiteyeh

In Jordan, education is regarded as one of the most important aspects by the leadership, governments, and families. Jordanians recognize the intrinsic value of education, and this awareness is evident in many aspects of society. These include high school enrollment rates and notably low literacy rates. Jordan has a gross enrollment rate in primary education of 100% for both girls and boys. This drops to 72% in lower secondary, with a student transition rate to secondary school of 99% (EDPC, 2018). This emphasis on education is reinforced by a variety of stakeholders, including the government, which implements supportive policies, and families, who strive to ensure their children receive a high-quality education. The budget allocated by the government for the Ministry of Education reached 1.25 billion dinars, an increase of 64.4 million compared to the 2023 revised estimate. Of this, 1.1 billion are current expenditures, an increase of about 44.4 million, and 146 million are capital expenditures, with an increase of about 20 million dinars for educational development. As for the budget of the Ministry of Higher Education, it reached 116.3 million dinars, an increase of about 20 million compared to the 2023 revised estimate. Of this, 83.2 million are current expenditures, an increase of about 5.6 million, and 33.1 million are capital expenditures, an increase of 14.3 million (Jordan News Agency, 2024).

 

Historical Context of Education in Jordan

Education has long been a cornerstone of Jordanian society, deeply rooted in the nation’s values and aspirations. From the early days of the Emirate, the Jordanian government recognized the importance of education in nation-building and worked diligently to establish a robust educational system. The Jordanian education system has undergone ongoing reforms since the 1952 Education Reform Law (ERL), which improved overall educational quality. The ERL guaranteed students’ right to non-discriminatory education and made the first seven years of school mandatory. Another Education Law, enacted in 1964, helped to shape Jordan’s educational philosophy (Benson, 2020). Since then, Jordan has implemented several key reforms, such as the Permanent Education Law 3 (1994), which mandated that the Ministry of Education increase investment in teacher and school leadership training, update curricula, and focus on fundamental educational goals (ibid). Over the decades, education has evolved from basic literacy initiatives to a comprehensive system that now includes primary, secondary, and higher education. Figure 1 shows the substantial decline in illiteracy rates in Jordan over time. Jordan now boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the region, reaching approximately 98.42% in 2021, highlighting the success of its educational policies (Statista a,2024).

Figure (1)

Source: (The Jordan Times, 2023a).

Jordan’s education-focused approach has produced significant results in terms of educational attainment and literacy rates. This decline shown in Figure 1 reflects the ongoing and increasing emphasis on education over time. Additionally, from the late 1990s to 2023, there has been a rise in the number of students in both public and private schools, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Furthermore, the emphasis on continuous learning and the expansion of adult education programs have ensured that literacy is not limited to the younger generation, but is available to all age groups. 

Figure (2)

Source: (King Hussein); (JORDAN STRATEGY FORUM, 2023); (CEIC); (Almamlaka, 2023a); (Ministry of Education a); (Al Khateeb, 2012); (King Hussein); (JORDAN STRATEGY FORUM, 2023); (The Jordan Times, 2023b).

 

Striving for Quality Amid Growing Enrollment

Despite increases in student enrollment over the years, Jordan’s educational system is under enormous strain. The growing number of students has not been matched by an equal increase in resources, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and stretched educational infrastructure. Jordan’s educational system has also been severely impacted by regional instability, specifically the influx of refugees from neighboring countries. The sudden increase in the number of students has overwhelmed the existing educational infrastructure, resulting in additional overcrowding and resource shortages. The total number of school students in Jordan increased from 1.85 million in the 2013-2014 academic year to approximately 2.24 million in the 2021-2022 academic year, representing a 21.1% increase during this period (Jordan Strategy Forum, 2024). Nevertheless, the rate of increase in students does not align with the rate of increase in teachers. In the 2013-2014 academic year, the total number of teachers in Jordan was 114,917, which increased to 137,805 in the 2021-2022 academic year, representing a 19.92% increase during this period  (Jordan Strategy Forum, 2024). Although the percentage increase in the number of students and teachers is similar, it becomes evident that the student-to-teacher ratio has risen when considering the growing number of students. Public schools experienced an 8% increase in the “student-to-teacher ratio” indicator, from approximately 16.1 students per teacher in 2014 to 17.5 students per teacher in 2022 (Jordan Strategy Forum, 2024). This increase in the ratio could, in turn, lead to a decline in the quality of education, classroom management challenges, and an increased burden on teachers. This mismatch highlights the urgent need for more investment to ensure that the quality of education is not compromised as enrollment numbers continue to rise. UNESCO partnered with the Ministry of Education to ensure that all children and youth in Jordan have access to quality education, regardless of their background. Despite the efforts made through this partnership, “many systematic and structural challenges remain, as well as gaps in funding, capacity development needs at all levels to improve delivery of inclusive education, and the need for continuous awareness raising to impact attitudes” (UNITED NATIONS, 2023).

 

Growing University Enrollment in Jordan

University enrollment numbers in Jordan continue to increase year after year, reflecting the growing demand for higher education. For instance, 399,923 students were enrolled in universities across Jordan in the 2022/2023 academic year (Ministry of Higher Education a). This marks an increase from 361,668 students in the 2021/2022 academic year (Ministry of Higher Education b). Furthermore, the number of graduates is steadily rising, as indicated by the Gross Graduation Ratio for Tertiary Education in Jordan, shown in Figure 3.

Figure (3)

Source: (World bank).

This trend may have a negative impact on the job market if effective plans are not put in place to absorb the growing number of graduates entering the workforce. According to official data, 455,000 university graduates are currently waiting for their turn in the Civil Service Bureau, an official institution responsible for appointments to government jobs (Aljazeera, 2023).

 

The Need for Sustained Financial Support

When looking at government spending on education as a percentage of GDP, a comparison between the mid-1990s, where the percentage exceeded 7%, and the more recent figures over the past ten years, as shown in Figure 4, reveals that the percentage has remained around 3%. This represents a drop of more than half in public spending as a share of GDP. This issue needs to be addressed and reconsidered, especially when examining the challenges facing the education sector.

Figure (4)

Source: (TRADING ECONOMICS).

To address these pressing issues, Jordan’s educational system requires ongoing funding from both domestic and international sources. Furthermore, as the number of university graduates grows each year, the job market becomes more strained, resulting in rising unemployment rates. The youth unemployment rate has risen over the past decade, increasing from approximately 29% in 2013 to around 41% in 2023 (Statista b, 2024). This highlights the critical need for investment not only in education, but also in sectors capable of accommodating the growing number of graduates entering the workforce. Long-term investment in both education and job-creation industries is critical for providing Jordan’s youth with the skills and opportunities they need to contribute to the country’s future while lowering unemployment.

 

Education as a Lifeline for Jordan’s Future

Based on previous observations, it is evident that Jordanians have a strong thirst for education. Education remains the most important factor in determining Jordan’s future, but current challenges threaten to undermine that potential. Without addressing the systemic issues in the educational system, the country risks falling behind on its development goals. There is an urgent need for renewed commitment and investment to ensure that education remains a powerful tool for Jordan’s growth and stability. Without adequate funding, Jordanian students will continue to face challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, unequal access to quality education, and limited resources. 

Improving the quality of the educational process, as envisioned by His Majesty King Abdullah, is essential. “It is not just the focus on improving students’ performance, but the focus on enhancing the educational process as a whole that defines His Majesty’s vision” (The Jordan Times, 2019). Furthermore, these challenges will have a direct impact on unemployment rates and the overall economic situation, as an increasing number of graduates struggle to find work in an already tight                labor market. Addressing these issues is critical for the education sector and the nation’s overall economic health.

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