Teachers association criticises new study plan for secondary education

AMMAN – The Jordan Teachers Association (JTA) on Wednesday criticised the recently approved 2015-2016 study plan for the scientific and literary streams of secondary education.

Under the plan, endorsed by the Education Council on Monday, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology are all to be counted in the scores of General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) scientific stream students.

Moreover, geology and computer science must be passed but are not calculated in the final score.

Literary branch students, on the other hand, can choose two of the optional subjects of geography, Islamic sciences and French, which will be included in the final score.

Computer science is also not counted in the final score, but must be passed, as of the next scholastic year.  

“Why on earth would a government that is serious about automation and e-learning put computer science as a subject that students should only pass and not excel in?” wondered JTA Spokesperson Ayman Okour.

He added that making history and geography optional subjects for literary stream students is also a “pointless” decision. 

“These two subjects are the basis for entrenching many concepts among students, especially those who will later specialise in politics, anthropology and international relations,” Okour said. 

The council also decided to include the subject of finance for the seventh to tenth grades as of the academic year 2015-2016. 

The new plan is part of efforts to reform the educational sector in Jordan, especially Tawjihi, according to the Education Council.

The JTA is hoping to seize the opportunity of the educational development conference, which will be held at the beginning of August, to present its position on the plan. 

“We hope to be able to convince stakeholders to introduce some changes to the plan,” Okour said.