Parents urged to check private schools’ licence status

AMMAN – The Ministry of Education on Thursday called on parents to make sure that the school they choose for their children is licensed.

Qasem Khateeb, director of the ministry’s private education department, said several private schools are operating without having finished the legal procedures required to obtain a licence. 

“We know of around five schools in Jordan that have not finished their procedures and the total number might be higher,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

He noted that some school owners rent a small house or a building and start appointing teachers without cooperating with the ministry. 

Asked whether the certificates students receive from these schools will be recognised by the ministry, Khateeb said: “All measures we take in response to this issue will not harm the students.” 

However, a ministry statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, earlier this week said certificates from unlicensed schools will not be accredited.

The ministry also said it will close violating schools.

There are 614 licensed private schools operating in the capital, while 561 schools are located in the Kingdom’s governorates, according to Khateeb. 

Private School Owners Association President Munther Sourani said some school owners accept students and start operations before they receive all their official papers. 

“Some procedures take time, so the schools start operating before they receive the licence, but the ministry does not approve certificates until a licence is obtained,” he told The Jordan Times.