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AMMAN — The government on Sunday announced the allocation of land across the governorates for the construction of housing units for teachers, in coordination with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, during a meeting at the Ministry of Education with Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah and ministry officials, attended by the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smairat, said that budget allocations for the project will be included in the 2026 national budget as part of a comprehensive package aimed at supporting educators under the Ministry of Education.
The prime minister acknowledged delays in disbursing emergency advances from the ministry's social security fund. He confirmed that the necessary funds have now been allocated to cover all pending requests and accelerate processing times.
“I have directed that a broader, improved mechanism be established to provide long-term, low-interest financing through the Social Security Fund at the Ministry of Education,” said Hassan.
He also announced that the government will consider increasing the Royal makruma (benefaction) granted to teachers at universities, as well as expanding the number of scholarship and loan recipients among teachers’ children starting in September.
The government is considering raising the number of teachers included in Jordan’s official Hajj (pilgrimage) delegations, which would allow spouses to join as well, he added.
He announced that, as part of a public-private partnership, schools across the Kingdom will soon undergo significant upgrades in maintenance and construction of new facilities.
Seven new schools are set to open at the start of the next academic year, and 11 more are planned for the second semester. In total, 85 new schools will be built and 35 smaller schools will be expanded to include new classrooms.
“I am not here to diagnose problems, but to implement solutions and ensure results,” he said.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of instilling national identity and values in schools. "Every school must begin its day with a morning assembly, raising the national flag, and singing the Royal anthem. No school should act as if it’s detached from our national identity. We have one Jordanian identity that unites us."
He called for the creation of an environment conducive to fair and smooth Tawjihi exams and emphasized that the goal of the education system should be to produce skilled graduates, not merely to award certificates.
Hassan emphasized the importance of equipping students with modern skills, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis, to bridge the gap between education and labor market demands. He added that Smirat’s presence at the meeting reflected the strategic importance of integrating digital and AI technologies into the education system.
He also identified the National Council for Future Technology, which is chaired by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, as a key player in the effort to digitize education in schools and universities.
Mahafzah outlined the ministry’s current initiatives to improve school environments, including construction and renovation projects. He announced that more than 100 schools are undergoing upgrades through the social responsibility initiative, which has secured approximately JD90 million in funding over the next three years.
He added that the ministry is drafting new guidelines to enforce school attendance policies, particularly those related to morning assemblies and school radio programs. Plans are also underway to launch summer programs, such as the “Basma Camp,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth. There are also plans to expand scouting, guiding, and school sports activities.
Mahafzah announced plans to train 60,000 teachers over the next three years and to upgrade the Tawjihi secondary exam system.