Public school ‘caravan classrooms’ a low-quality learning environment, say parents

AMMAN — The adoption of “caravan classrooms” in public schools to cope with the rising number of students has drawn the ire of parents, who chided the lack proper upkeep of public educational facilities, especially in lower income communities. 

The problems facing the public school system “go way beyond” outdated equipment and peeling paint, Suha Khattab, a local mother, told The Jordan Times. 

“Kids are going to debilitated schools where icy wind seeps in through the ageing windows all winter,” she added. At those same deteriorating schools, air conditioning or even ceiling fans are not options during the summer, added Khatab. “They’re lucky to have access to clean water there!” she said. 

“These schools also lack the necessary technology, supplies, educational outdoor spaces and fresh air that students in private schools see as basic provisions,” Khattab stated.

Meanwhile, Faten Nsheiwat, a mother of two boys, said that the list of overdue school repairs and badly needed upgrades has been growing for decades.

“We need safer and healthier spaces for all children,” she added. 

The public has taken to social media to complain about “caravan classrooms”. 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official from the Ministry of Education told The Jordan Times that caravans are used as an alternative to the lack of available school buildings in Jordan.

“We are currently in a situation where not enough school buildings are being built fast enough to keep pace with the rising number of students,” the source added. 

Ahmad Masa’feh, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, said that caravans are a temporary solution, and are only used in rare cases.

“Our portable classrooms are built to the highest quality standards and undergo heavy-duty construction to cope with the most challenging and remote of environments,” Masa’feh added. 

However, parents say that the caravans are not adequate or suitable for a school environment.

“I don’t think any government officials would send their kids to a caravan classroom,” said Um Faris, a mother of three. 

Um Faris added that unfortunately, children from lower-income households “always end up compromising”.