‘School mergers a problem for residents of remote areas’

AMMAN — The Education Ministry's decision to merge a number of public schools where small numbers of students are enrolled was met with outrage by students and parents with the start of the scholastic year on Tuesday.

Parents of students in a number of schools in Irbid's Southern Mazar District, and Zarqa and Jerash have decided not to send their children to school, citing the long distance and lack of transportation means.

"The school's new location is very problematic for us. My three children are not old enough to reach school on their own and my husband does not own a car," Um Nofal told The Jordan Times over the phone on Wednesday.

The Education Ministry's reassurances that it will offer transportation to students who have been affected by the mergers did not comfort the Jerash resident.

"It used to take my children ten minutes to reach school on foot. With the school now 5km away, it is really difficult for them to walk. I don't think the ministry will be able to secure transport for all these students," said the mother of five.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Mohammad Thneibat was quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, as saying that the ministry will not go back on its merger decision, which he said ensures more successful education outcomes.

"Merging public schools where the number of students is below a set limit will contribute to enhancing the quality of education and the performance of teachers," he noted during a field visit to Mansheiet Bani Hassan District schools in Mafraq on Tuesday.

Thneibat reiterated the ministry's commitment to offer transportation to students affected by the mergers.

However, the Jordan Teachers Association (JTA) said there is more to the issue than changing the location of schools.

"Schools included in the merging process are those located in very remote areas. Merging them with schools in less remote regions means they will be closed," JTA Spokesperson Ayman Okour told The Jordan Times.

He added that this will have social implications on local communities, especially since schools should be open to society.

"Schools have an enlightening role, especially in remote areas," said Okour.

On the other hand, he called on the ministry to streamline the merging process based on clear regulations.

The Education Ministry said Wednesday it has merged 41 schools around the Kingdom, where fewer than 20 students are enrolled.

Ministry Spokesperson Walid Jallad said in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the mergers will enable the ministry to clear 33 rented buildings and three schools operating on the two-shift system.

There are 47 schools where 20 students or fewer are enrolled, and where 267 educators work in total, according to Petra.

The ministry, Jallad said, will later implement a campaign to merge schools with 21-30 students enrolled, which are 40 in total.

With the mergers, the ministry would save around JD6 million, he added, according to Petra.