Education

Oman: Secondary education, primary importance

Education ministers from across the Arab world gathered in the Omani capital of Muscat in March to take part in the 7th Arab Education Ministers Conference. Organized by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), the theme of this year's conference was the current standard of secondary education in the Arab world, with discussion focusing on the need to develop and diversify secondary education in line with best global practices. Oman's deputy prime minister, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, welcomed guests to the conference, where he reviewed Oman's own progress in developing its educational offering, highlighting in particular the important role of education in the government's comprehensive development framework. He was quoted in local press as telling delegates that ""Education in the Arab world is the main pillar for progress, and that can only be achieved through modernization of curricula, and achieving a qualitative educational leap to produce qualified human cadres capable of coping with the requirements of the age we live in."" The government of Oman underlined its commitment to education in its 2010 budget, released in January. The budget, which forecast a deficit of RO800 million (US$2bn) based on a conservative prediction of oil prices, saw education receive a 35 per cent share of current expenditure for the civil ministries - a total of RO874 million (US$2.27bn). The figure marks an inflation-busting 10.5 per cent rise in overall expenditure on education, with the current 35 per cent share representing a continued improvement in the sector's resourcing relative to other departments: its average share over the past decade has typically been closer to 30 per cent. Key comparative statistics regarding educational achievements in the Arab world are difficult to obtain. However, in a report published by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation last year, 19 Arab states were indexed according to their ""knowledge economy"" performance using World Bank methodology and indicators. According to the report, Oman ranked 63rd out of 135 countries globally for its knowledge economy and 5th out of 19 in the Arab world. Concerning education and human resources, Oman's position was 87th out of 135 and 10th out of 19, respectively. (Source: OBG)

Dubai: Training for the future

The education system in Dubai, as well as the rest of the UAE, is about to undergo a massive overhaul, with a series of reforms to be implemented at all levels. In late February, the national Ministry of Education (MoE) unveiled its new Educational Strategy 2010-20, which it describes as a plan that will allow students to match the highest international standards thanks to a restructuring of the curriculum. Under the strategy, which still has to be given final official approval, 50 separate initiatives are to be implemented, with the aim of developing an education system better placed to ensure that students are best equipped for higher education and the workplace. The education system will be made more flexible, with a restructuring of secondary education to include elective courses, encouragement for students to take part in extracurricular activities and also be more involved in decision-making concerning their own studies. Though mainly directed at state schools, the strategy will also have an impact on the private education system in Dubai, which currently serves 85 per cent of all pre-tertiary students, one of the highest ratios in the world. (Source: OBG)