Arab education ministers call for reform

Meeting last month in Amman, Arab ministers of education stressed the need to upgrade the region's education system to help countries face the challenges of poverty and unemployment that can lead to violent extremism.

Ministers attending the 10th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education, held December 10th and 11th, called for comprehensive reforms of education systems through an in-depth review of the status of Arab education.

The ministers noted existing shortcomings in educational outcomes, especially in the areas of science and research, as well as a regional failure to meet the contemporary requirements of the labour market and sustainable development.

They highlighted the need to reform education systems with an eye towards future needs, providing a clear and transparent vision so that educational institutions can help foster investment in human resources and development.

Investing in teachers

The foundation of the education process is the development of the skills of teachers, Jordan Teachers Union spokesman Ahmed al-Hajaya told Al-Mashareq.

"The teacher has an important role in building the future generations of youth, and empowering teachers and equipping them with advanced teaching skills will reflect [positively] on students and their skills," he said.

"Unfortunately, only a small number of Arab universities are counted among the best in the world, and this reflects on the students," he said. "For this reason also, there is a great need to invest in the capabilities of teachers in Arab countries."

A teacher who is knowledgeable, skilled and equipped with advanced teaching techniques has a key role to play in meeting the challenges Arab societies face, such as combating terrorism and extremism, he said.

"The teacher plays a major role in the upbringing of a generation that is knowledgeable in matters of religion and educating the youth on how to confront obscurant ideas," he said.

Ghada Khalil, a private school teacher in Amman's Jabal al-Hussein district, said there is a need for greater efforts to train teachers.

"There is a need to improve the financial circumstances of teachers to improve their confidence and change the negative perception of the teaching profession," she told Al-Mashareq.

"The teacher is the basic building block of the education process, and if he is well trained, receives a decent salary and is at ease, this reflects positively on his performance," she said.

The role of education

The outputs of the education process play a huge role in economic growth and performance, Jordanian economist Husam Ayesh told Al-Mashareq.

"Arab states allocate large sums of money to their ministries of education, but most of the money goes to salaries, not investment in novel educational tools that stimulate the students' creativity and thinking," he said.

Arab states typically allocate between 8% and 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) to their ministries of education, he said.

The greater the investment in education, Ayesh said, the better the output of the education process and the students' level of skill, enabling them to compete in the labour market and improve their chances of landing meaningful jobs.

"Arab states should focus on creative education and not the amount of education, and move away from traditional education," he said.