System and Administration of Education in Oman

Principles and general objectives of education System of Education Administration of Education

Principles and general objectives of education They are to: Integrate the individual’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual and moral development Nurture the capabilities of individuals and groups, and to develop the spirit of cooperation. Modernize the Omani society by teaching the required technical skills and appropriate intellectual approaches

Principles and general objectives Achieve social and economic progress Achieve national unity, solidarity and independence Revive the Arabic Islamic heritage.

Structure and organization of the education system New system 4-6-2-4 4 years (first cycle of basic education), 6 years (second cycle of basic education), 2 years (in post-basic education), and 4 years (in higher education -university or college). Old system 6-3-3-4

General education General Education is the former type of education in Oman. It is a twelve years curriculum consists of three phases (cycles 1 & 2 and post-basic education) - equivalent with the old system -primary, preparatory and secondary). The Ministry of Education began to phase in Basic Education gradually in 1998/99.

Basic education The Basic education lasts for 10 years of study and when it ends the pupil moves to the post-Basic Education which covers four semesters in two years. The ten years of Basic Education is divided into two cycles (sessions) The first cycle covers class one to class four (kids of six years to nine years old) – 4 years The second cycle, starts with class five to class ten – six years The structure: 4-6

Basic education The term (Basic Education) renamed on an alternative non-traditional educational systems comprising years of primary and preparatory and lower secondary levels, according to methods designed to fit the circumstances of the region which applied according to circumstances of each region or each State to adopt this pattern of education.

Post-Basic Education Post -Basic Education system lasts for two years of schooling next after basic education cycle one and two(4+6=10 years )of study. It aims to continue to develop essential working skills ,and promote vocational planning among students to be active members of the society productive power, able to benefit from education and training opportunities and work after school education. Therefore, the General Education System of Oman is 4-6-2

Academic system The studying period in the general education schools is nine months and there is a holiday between semesters . The studying period in basic education is about 180 days. The working period for studying is only five days and a number of lessons are only 35 in general education schools and 40 lessons in basic education schools.

The aims of Education in Post-Basic Education 1-Promote loyalty to the homeland and to his Majesty Sultan 2-Confirm belonging to Gulf society, Arab nation and Muslim world 3- To affirm faith principles of Islam, and the consolidation of faith and spiritual values among learners, and deploy it in their life and make them a standard of conduct. 4- The pride in Arabic, and expansion of education, and perfecting the arts mastery, with adequate competence of a language of international communication.

The aims of Education in Post-Basic Education 5- Awareness of global cultural trends 6-Groom with various cognitive thinking and ability to solve problems 7-Accumulate positive trends towards work and productivity 8-The proper use of learning skills and continuous learning 9- Ideological composition of positive trends towards the environment 10- Ability to interact and socialize in the society.

Models for some basic skills which Models for some basic skills which Education Post-Basic Education assert: 1. Proper Communication skills.. 2 . Ability to use the mathematics skills... 3. Sufficient information technology literacy.. 4 .Satisfactory problem solving thinking skills. 5. Decent personal and social skills..

Structure and organization of the education system Pre-school education Kindergartens are available in all private schools. Day nurseries are also available as independent institutions.

Controversial Question Is pre-school education a part of Omani education structure/system?

Basic education Number per class: Grade 1-4: 34 Grade 5-10: 31 Teacher-pupil ratio: 1:26 Grade 1-4 Teacher-student ratio: 1:19 Grade 5-10 2000/2001: teacher-pupil ratio: 1:23.7

Post-basic education Students streamed into arts and sciences Average number of students per class: 31 Average teacher-student ratio: 1:16 In 2000/2001 was: 1:17.6

Higher Education Higher is under supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education

Higher education Higher education and post-secondary education 4 year courses and 2 years Sultan Qaboos University – the only public university – 4 year course Private universities, e.g. University of Nizwa – 4 year course Specialized colleges and institutes Technical industrial colleges – 2 year course

Higher Education Specialized colleges and institutes Health institutes – Under Ministry of Health The Banking Institute – Under Central Bank of Oman

Teaching staff Until 1998/99 there were 24, 093 teachers (males and females) in all levels of public education According to the new requirements for teaching, teachers of all three levels should have Bachelor degree. Bachelor of education Or General university degree plus an educational diploma

Teaching staff Pre-service teachers are trained to be acquainted with the philosophy and objectives of education in the Sultanate of Oman and the foundations and approaches on which the curricula have been designed. Pre-service teachers should also be acquainted with the general objectives of each level and each curriculum.

B.Ed students should complete at least 132 credit hours The B.Ed. programme consists of three main components: general culture courses (comprehensive requirements); behavioural culture programme, and specialized courses (specialization requirements).

Teacher teaching workload Numbers of periods which should be taught by teachers in different levels: a teacher of the first three grades 1-3 (elementary level) should teach between 25-26 periods per week; a teacher who teaches in grades 4-6 should teach between 22 and 26 periods per week;

a teacher who teaches in grades 7-10 should teach between 20 and 24 periods per week; a post-basic education teacher should teach between 18 and 22 periods per week. The length of a period at basic education levels is 40 minutes. For post-basic level the period is 45 minutes

Promotion Chances for promotion are available to all teachers. Teachers are promoted according to their experience or to their performance which is stated in their annual reports of performance. In-service training is a right for all teachers.

Evaluation methods of teachers Three forms are used: the classroom observation form (filled out by the headmaster); the supervision visit form (filled out by the supervisor); and the evaluation form (filled out conjointly by the headmaster and the supervisor).

Issues and Challenges For Basic education Dropout rates – generally decreased Dropout rates – continues for boys approximately twice as high as those for girls Lack of motivation among students

Issues For post-basic education Dropout rates – generally decreased Dropout rates – still the number of dropouts is higher in boys compared to girls Lack of motivation among students

Issues Quality issue Quantitative expansion has improved How to involve more parents? In an international study 2003/2004 of grade 4, the results showed that pupils on average approximately one year behind international standards (in Arabic, English, Mathematics and Science) Processes, procedures and teaching and learning need more look.