Amman: Academics and educators welcomed Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan's visit to the Ministry of Education, where he held a productive meeting with Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Azmi Mahafzah, alongside Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat.
According to Jordan News Agency, Jamal Shalabi, a professor of political science at the Hashemite University, noted that the visit, under royal directives, represents a pivotal moment in national education. It signals a new phase of reform aimed at revamping curricula, enhancing the learning environment, and leveraging technological tools and artificial intelligence to prepare future generations.
Shalabi emphasized that the prime minister's directives mark a paradigm shift in official educational policy, reflecting His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision of education as a cornerstone of human development and national identity. He stated that investing in education, particularly in technology and AI, is essential for equipping youth to meet labor market demands.
He highlighted the need to align education with labor market needs and ensure national stability by strengthening the role of teachers. Initiatives such as allocating land for teacher housing and improving infrastructure reflect a rapid governmental shift toward comprehensive education reform.
Mustafa Ayrout, a professor of educational administration at the University of Jordan, underscored the importance of implementing the prime minister's directives. He commended Hassan for effectively translating King Abdullah's vision into actionable policies, emphasizing support for teachers and education modernization.
Ayrout called for school activities to highlight Jordan's national role and the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem's holy sites, while also documenting the King's efforts on the Palestinian issue. He described the integration of technology under the National Council for Future Technology, chaired by HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, as a promising step toward educational advancement.
He praised the government's decision to allocate emergency funds and establish long-term financial support for teachers, addressing their professional and psychological well-being. He also lauded support measures announced during the visit, including expanding scholarships for teachers' children and increasing educators benefiting from Hajj missions.
Amer Wathaefi, Head of the Educational Development Council at Zarqa's First Education Directorate, described the visit as a qualitative leap in following through on the King's directives. He emphasized expanding vocational education and linking students with the job market to fight unemployment.
He confirmed that the next academic year will see major improvements in school infrastructure, with plans to construct 85 new schools and expand 35 more through community responsibility projects. This marks a tangible shift toward a modern learning environment.
Finally, Wathaefi highlighted the launch of the teacher housing project, noting that the initiative will motivate educators and support localized development across the kingdom.