Education in Jordan

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Jordan has given great attention to education in particular. It is ranked 47^th in the world according to literacy rate, and the first in the Arab world. Its educational system is of international standards and its secondary education program is accepted in world-class universities.

Contents 1 Demographics 2 Levels of Education 2.1 School Education 2.1.1 Basic Education 2.1.2 Secondary Education 2.2 Higher Education 2.2.1 University-level Studies 2.2.2 Non-University level Studies 3 See also

[edit] Demographics

Literacy Rate: 91.3%
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Male: 95.9%
Female: 86.3% (2003 est.)

See also: Demographics of Jordan

[edit] Levels of Education

[edit] School Education

School Education contains two parts: Basic Education which lasts for ten years, and the Secondary Education which lasts for two years. Secondary education is free but not compulsory.

[edit] Basic Education

Basic Education is a ten-year compulsory level of education. Study books are standard books distributed by the Ministry of Education.

[edit] Secondary Education

The Secondary Education level consists of two years' study for students aged 16 to 18 who have completed the basic cycle (10 years) and comprises two major tracks:

• 1- Secondary education, which can either be academic or vocational. At the end of the two-year period, students sit for the general secondary examination (Tawjihi) in the appropriate branch and those who pass are awarded the Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate). The academic stream qualifies students for entrance to universities, whereas the vocational or technical type qualifies for entrance to Community Colleges or universities or the job market, provided they pass the two additional subjects.
• 2- Vocational secondary education, which provides intensive vocational training and apprenticeship, and leads to the award of a Certificate (not the Tawjihi). This type of education is provided by the Vocational Training Corporation, under the control of the Ministry of Labour / Technical and Vocational Education and Training Higher Council.

[edit] Higher Education

Access to higher education is open to holders of the General Secondary Education Certificate who can then choose between private Community Colleges, public Community Colleges or universities (public and private). The credit-hour system, which entitles students to select courses according to a study plan, is implemented at universities.

At present, there are:

• 8 public universities
  • plus 2 newly- licensed ones
• 13 private universities
  • plus 4 newly- licensed ones

All post-secondary education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Ministry includes the Higher Education Council and the Accreditation Council.

[edit] University-level Studies

University level first stage: Undergraduate level Bachelor's Degrees normally take four years. In Dentistry, Pharmacy and Engineering, studies last for five years. In Medicine, they last for six years, followed by an Internship which lasts for one year. The Bachelor's Degree requires a total of 126-164 credit hours, depending on the field of study.

University level second stage: Postgraduate level The Master's is awarded after a further two years' study following upon the Bachelor's Degree. It can be obtained either by course work and a thesis (c. 24 credit hours of courses and nine credit hours of research), or by course work (c. 33 credit hours) and a comprehensive examination. Candidates should hold the Bachelor's Degree with "good" as a minimum rating.

University level third stage: Doctorate A Doctorate Degree is awarded after three to five years of further study and the submission of an original dissertation. It requires, depending on the subject, 24 credit hours of course work and 24 credit hours of research. Candidates should hold a Master's Degree with "very good" as a minimum rating.

Teacher education Basic school teachers must hold a Bachelor's Degree. Training of secondary school teachers: Secondary school teachers must hold a Bachelor's Degree and a one-year postgraduate Higher Diploma in Education. Training of higher education teachers: They must hold a Doctorate (PhD). In some cases a Master's Degree is sufficient.

Non-traditional studies This type of education is offered at the newly-established branch of the Arab Open University.

Lifelong higher education Lifelong education is offered at public and private universities, public and private community colleges, the Jordan Institute of Public Administration, The Jordan Geographic Center and The Royal Scientific Society, as well as in other institutions. Courses are offered in Engineering, Industry, Agriculture, Foreign Languages, Computer Sciences, Managerial Sciences, Secretarial Studies, Physical Education and subjects that can help the local community. Courses last between one week and six months at the end of which students obtain a Certificate of Attendance or Achievement. The qualifications needed depend on the subject and level of the course. Some are designed for specific occupations, in which case a work experience in the relevant field is needed to attend such courses.

[edit] Non-University level Studies

Non-university and vocational studies are offered in community colleges, access to which is open to holders of all types of general secondary education certificates. The two-to three-year programme encompasses many fields, such as Arts, Science, Management, Business Administration and Engineering. As of 1997, all public Community Colleges are under the supervision of Al-Balqa Applied University. At the end of the two- or three-year course, students sit for a comprehensive examination (Al-Shamel). Those who pass are awarded the Associate Degree / Diploma.

[edit] See also

• Jordan
• Demographics of Jordan