Muscat: In its 7th regular session, the Shura Council welcomed Her Excellency Madiha Al Shibani, the Minister of Education, to review the Ministry's report on critical educational sectors. The discussion encompassed various topics, including school education policies, the quality of education, human resources, training and qualifications, as well as the landscape of private education in the Sultanate of Oman.
Increase in Student Enrollment and School Facilities
Her Excellency the Minister of Education highlighted a notable rise in student enrollment in government schools, which has surged from 678,000 in the 2020/2021 academic year to 817,000 in the current academic year 2024/2025, marking a growth rate of 20.5%. Additionally, the number of schools is expected to grow to 1,306 by the 2025/2026 academic year, up from 1,182 in 2020/2021, reflecting a 10.4% increase.
Enhanced Teacher Recruitment and Emphasis on Omanisation
In the initial four years of the tenth five-year plan, the Ministry has appointed 15,000 Omani teachers, a substantial rise from the 6,800 appointed during the previous five-year plan. The Ministry aims to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers, predominantly Omanis, for the 2025/2026 academic year, which will bring the total number of Omani teacher appointments in the tenth five-year plan to over 19,000.
Growth of the Private Education Sector
The private education sector has experienced significant expansion, with the total number of private and international schools and kindergartens rising to 1,223 for the 2024/2025 academic year, compared to around 880 in the 2019/2020 period, marking a 39% increase. Enrollment figures in private institutions have grown from 189,000 in 2019/2020 to 233,000 in 2024/2025, which includes 96,000 students in early childhood education.
Investment in Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
The government has earmarked OMR 27.4 million for a digital transformation initiative, recognized as a national priority aimed at enhancing the digital education framework and artificial intelligence systems. This project will incorporate technological programs and applications into curricula, teaching methodologies, and administrative processes, while also improving digital infrastructure in public schools and integrating artificial intelligence into the educational experience.
