Create schools loved and enjoyed by students — Razzaz

DEAD SEA — “We have to realise that much of the learning today takes place outside the school, so we must use technology, applied learning and creativity,” said Education Minister Omar Razzaz on Friday at the Jordan Agenda Conference 2018 held at the Dead Sea. 

Government officials and educators diagnosed various problems affecting the quality of Jordan’s education at the session “Human Resources and Education: What Do We Want?” organised by the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan.

“We need to make sure that students love their school and actually enjoy it,” Razzaz told The Jordan Times at the event adding “that’s code for: A lot needs to be done.”

The education minister proposed changes to the school environment, teacher training and curriculum. 

“If we enforce schools to adopt only one kind of curriculum, it will crush the creative soul of the student,” said Razzaz. 

Member of Parliament Haifa Najjar called for creating an environment where “good citizens” are made by inviting “rational, emotional, social and creative dimensions” into the education system. 

Razzaz spoke about the ministry’s new emphasis on activities, where 20 per cent of the class week is devoted to sports, boy scouts, civics and music. 

“What we’re offering is very instrumental in growth and development, and these subjects will be completely optional for the student” explained Razzaz adding: “Not every student will enjoy music or sports but we need to provide them with the menu of activities that help build character and help the students identify what their passions are.”

Cooperation with the Higher Education Ministry and reforms to the Tawjihi National Exam were also brought up in the session. 

“We are changing the national Tawjihi exam so it reflects students’ capability. It will measure the students’ critical thinking skills as opposed to rote memorisation and work with the Higher Education Ministry to ensure that there are different criteria — not just the grade average — that allows a student to enter a specific field,” said Razzaz. 

During the debate on university education, participant and youth advocate Sami Hourani asked about endowments and university-administered funding to students. 

“One of the priorities of universities in Jordan is financial independence,” said University of Jordan’s President Azmi Mahafzah. 

“The concept of endowment is missing in Jordan,” Hourani stressed adding: Getting private sector endowments improves the quality of the universities, and once the quality of education is improved, graduates will have a feeling of loyalty to the university and will want to donate money and give back.”