Amman, June 2 (Petra) – In a move aligned with Jordan’s long-standing royal vision for education, the government has introduced a broad package of support and incentives aimed at elevating the teaching profession, improving school infrastructure, and enhancing students’ learning environments. The initiative is part of a national effort to strengthen patriotism, reinforce loyalty to the Hashemite leadership, and ensure a modern, inclusive education system.

Training programs for nearly 60,000 teachers, the integration of artificial intelligence and technology into classrooms, and the embedding of national values into curricula signal Jordan’s commitment to an educational system capable of preparing future-ready generations, according to educators and education experts interviewed by Petra.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan’s recent visit to the Ministry of Education, during which he announced teacher incentives and plans for building and renovating schools, was described as a pivotal moment. Experts say the government’s efforts reflect its belief that teachers and students represent the first line of defense for Jordan and must be supported to thrive and innovate.

Osama Shdeifat, Director of the First Zarqa Education Directorate, told Petra that prioritizing teacher welfare and the school environment has long been a key concern of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The prime minister’s announcements, he said, build on this royal directive by focusing on teachers’ professional, emotional, and financial well-being, which is crucial for the advancement of the educational process and the nation.

Shdeifat noted that schools play a vital role in instilling national identity and loyalty among students Jordan’s future citizens. Daily rituals like the national anthem and morning assemblies, he added, are key expressions of this commitment, reinforced by Ministry-led curricular and extracurricular programs.

Mohammad Alzyoud, Dean of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan, said the government’s newly announced measures represent a "qualitative shift" in empowering teachers. These steps, he added, solidify the teacher’s role as a pillar in nation-building, from improving financial conditions and expanding scholarships to enhancing housing and funding opportunities.

Alzyoud praised the ministry’s focus on school expansions and maintenance, as well as its cooperation with community initiatives, noting that a strong school infrastructure is essential for fostering a motivating and effective learning environment.

He also emphasized the alignment of teacher training with digital transformation, saying that Jordan’s shift toward tech-integrated education is evident in its large-scale training programs and adoption of AI tools in classrooms.

Alzyoud affirmed his school’s support for the reform vision, noting that academic institutions must adapt their programs to labor market demands and digital trends. The integration between academic training and policy-making, he said, is key to sustainable education reform.

Omar Khattatbeh, Director of the Higher Diploma in Teacher Preparation at the University of Jordan, underscored that education is the foundation of human capital development. He cited His Majesty’s Seventh Discussion Paper, which calls for investing in future generations, as a guiding framework for education stakeholders.

Khattatbeh described the diploma program’s mission as preparing teachers who are digitally fluent, value diversity, and uphold national values and loyalty to the Hashemite leadership. The program aims to instill a passion for teaching while fostering skills in research, self-management, and critical thinking.

He echoed calls to strengthen teachers’ psychological and professional capacities, promote classroom engagement, and encourage a culture of self-directed learning what he termed a "key skill of the century."

Tarik Suleiman, a teacher at the Ministry of Education, said improving the living conditions of educators is fundamental to their ability to innovate in and out of the classroom. He called teachers the "first line of defense" for society and essential role models for students.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan also announced a plan to allocate land for teacher housing projects in various governorates through the Housing and Urban Development Corporation. Funding will be included in the 2026 budget as part of a broader support package for public school teachers.

He also addressed delays in the disbursement of emergency loans from the Social Security Fund, revealing that all pending applications will be covered this year, with improved mechanisms for future financing offering low-interest, long-term loans to educators.

Additional support measures include expanding royal scholarships for teachers’ children beginning in September, increasing teacher representation in Hajj delegations, and extending the pilgrimage benefit to spouses.

Hassan stressed that every school in Jordan must display a clear sense of national identity, beginning each day with a morning assembly, national anthem, and flag-raising ceremony. "There is one Jordanian identity that unites us all," he said.

//Petra// AF

02/06/2025 20:56:31