Education and Schools in Jordan

The standard of education and schools in Jordan are considered one of the best in the Arab world. While this may be the case, the language barrier usually deters expat parents from enrolling their children in local public schools.

That said, very young children can adopt a new language much faster than teens or adults. Learning Arabic and growing up alongside local children can help them assimilate culturally, making public schools a useful option for those planning to stay in Jordan for the long haul.

Private international schools are generally the first choice for globally mobile families or those with older children or teens.

Public schools in Jordan

Those who are able to enrol their children in Jordanian public schools will find that the country's model of education is advanced. Public schools are free to attend, and school books are usually also supplied at no cost.

Schooling is divided into primary school and secondary school. Mandatory school attendance is from ages 6 to 16. The education system in Jordan consists of:

• Pre-primary education (non-compulsory pre-school education before 6)
• Basic education (6 to 16)
• Secondary education (16 to 18)

Islamic Studies is a compulsory subject for Muslim students in secondary school. Once students turn 16, they can leave school or continue for another two years. If they choose to continue, there are two possible streams to follow:

1. the academic stream, which prepares students for university;
2. the vocational stream, which prepares students for community colleges or the job market.

Useful links

• Jordan Ministry of Education

International schools in Jordan

Despite the sometimes astronomical fees of international schools, most expat parents choose this route. This makes it possible for children to be educated in English or the language of their home country, often in a curriculum that is familiar to them. Various curricula are on offer, from American, French, and British to the globally recognised International Baccalaureate. This results in as little disruption of the child's education as possible, and the continuity can be reassuring in a situation where so many other things are different and new.

There are more than 20 international schools in Jordan and a large expat population, so placements at these schools are limited. Parents should start the application process early. Schools might require your children to write entry tests and will likely request reports from previous schools or recommendations. They may also require them to come into the school for an interview.

Special-needs education in Jordan

Although there has been some progress in the realm of special-needs education in Jordan over the past couple of decades, the infrastructure is still somewhat inadequate for dealing with a broad spectrum of disabilities.

Special education services are extended to a small minority of the population that needs some extra support. Accordingly, the vast majority of students with behavioural and physical disabilities are educated at home with very minimal professional support afforded to them or their families.

While Jordanian society may be more progressive than some Middle Eastern countries, there is still a stigma attached to disability, which prevents many families from seeking the assistance they require.

Useful links

• Jordan Ministry of Education – Department of Special Education

Tutors in Jordan

If you're looking to provide your child with some extra academic support, you should start by enquiring at the child's school about reputable private tutors. It will be important to find a tutor familiar with the particular curriculum the student is following. The private tutoring industry in Jordan may not be as well established as in other countries. Still, you can find a good offering of qualified professionals, especially in big cities such as Amman.

Useful links

• TeacherOn
• Apprentus