Former Deputy Prime Minister, Former Minister of Local Administration, and Current Chairman of the Administrative Committee in the Senate, Senator Tawfiq Kreishan, stated that education is the backbone of any society seeking progress and prosperity. It is a key strategic pillar for social and economic growth in Jordan and serves as the starting point for achieving social well-being and sustainable development.
In a symposium hosted by the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan (UJ) under the title "Developing Education to Achieve Social Well-being and Sustainable Development in Local Communities," Kreishan highlighted the efforts made by His Majesty King Abdullah II to develop education as a fundamental pillar for building a sustainable future for future generations. He referred to His Majesty's continuous follow-up on strategies and initiatives aimed at improving higher education and linking it to the labor market, such as the "Education for Employment" initiative and the "Edraak" project.
Kreishan also mentioned His Majesty’s efforts to support and strengthen the role of teachers through training and providing incentives for them to become agents of positive change in the educational system. These efforts include building international partnerships to support the education sector, which has contributed to attracting investments and funding from international organizations such as UNESCO and the World Bank to support educational projects in Jordan.
During the symposium, held under the patronage of UJ President, Prof. Nathir Obeidat, and attended by his deputies, faculty members, and local figures, Kreishan noted the Jordanian government's keen interest in cooperating with the private sector and international organizations in developing the educational infrastructure, to create modern and innovative learning environments, and provide continuous training for educational staff in line with global trends. He mentioned the government’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with international universities and educational institutions to open new avenues for academic cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Despite these efforts, Kreishan, from his perspective, believes that education in Jordan faces complex challenges related to infrastructure, quality of education, and the relevance of its outcomes to the labor market. He pointed out the urgent need to improve quality and ensure equal educational opportunities between different regions, particularly rural, Bedouin areas, refugee camps, and underserved communities.
He also emphasized that education is one of the most important tools for promoting justice and reducing the gap between different segments of society. Kreishan indicated that education in Jordan has proven its role in empowering women, as females represent more than 51% of higher education students. However, he also pointed out that the women's labor force participation rate is around 14%, which is low compared to global and Arab rates of 19.5%, while men’s participation stands at 65%, noting that the government aims to increase female participation in the workforce to 28%, according to the Economic Modernization Vision.
Regarding sustainable development, Kreishan stressed that the concept of development has two key dimensions: development as a process of change and sustainability as a time-based dimension. He noted that the development process itself aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with fairness and equality in the distribution of development benefits, with a focus on the human aspect of development, as humans are both the goal and tool of development.
Kreishan emphasized the importance of focusing on vocational and technical education and encouraging students to enroll, especially since the enrollment rate in technical and vocational education in Jordan is low by international standards. The enrollment rate in vocational education at the secondary level is around 32%, according to a report by UNESCO.
Kreishan highlighted that despite an increase in students enrolling in vocational and technical education programs, the percentage of students in higher education remains low, at just 20% of the total student population. Similarly, intermediate university education enrollment is about 6% of higher education enrollment, with only 3% in technical education. He emphasized the government's commitment, along with educational institutions, to raise these percentages by developing technical education programs and encouraging students to meet labor market needs, while acknowledging challenges like the shortage of vocational schools and social stereotypes about technical education.
Kreishan stressed the importance of adopting comprehensive approaches to achieve social well-being and sustainable development through education. This includes improving school infrastructure in rural and Bedouin areas, training teachers in modern technologies, increasing investments in technical and vocational education, and aligning curricula with labor market requirements.
Kreishan emphasized the need for an education system aligned with sustainable development goals, advocating for the inclusion of sustainability concepts in curricula and updating content to meet contemporary needs. He also proposed directing education to support local communities by involving students in development projects, strengthening their connection to their communities, and contributing to sustainable development.
Further, Kreishan highlighted the importance of increasing investment in e-learning, urging the provision of internet access and digital tools in schools, along with expanded training for teachers on using technology in education. He concluded by highlighting the pivotal role of Jordanian universities in fostering development, with hopes that UJ will lead by example in focusing on sustainable development research and enhancing collaboration with the private sector for economic and social projects.
In his address, Obeidat outlined his vision for the future of education in Jordan, highlighting a plan that began earlier this year to review curricula and introduce courses aimed at improving language skills, labor market readiness, and career preparation. He added that the university plans to introduce new courses focusing on soft skills and specialized knowledge, integrating technology and artificial intelligence to produce graduates who can advance society and compete effectively in the global job market.
Obeidat underscored the importance of investing in human capital, calling the University of Jordan an excellent example of this investment. He described education as the key to overcoming poverty and marginalization, reflecting the nation's deep commitment to quality education. He also recalled how previous generations, inspired by the late King Hussein, prioritized education as a means of advancing Jordan, with UJ graduates contributing significantly to national development.
In his part, the Dean of the School, Prof. Muhammad Sayel Al-Zyoud, confirmed the importance of education as a fundamental factor in community development and achieving social well-being. He mentioned that education not only empowers individuals with knowledge and skills but also serves as the foundation for building a cohesive society capable of facing challenges. He emphasized that investing in education and developing it to align with global changes and local labor market needs is essential for achieving sustainable growth, noting that quality education is a crucial driver of social and economic reform.