Amman, Oct. 20 (Petra) – Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah met Sunday evening with a delegation from the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Office for Project Services.

According to a Ministry statement, the visit aimed to review the progress of UN-supported programs and enhance cooperation and communication with national partners and local communities across the Kingdom.

Mahafzah emphasized that the education sector in Jordan enjoys royal support as a national priority and forms a cornerstone of comprehensive reform across all sectors.

He highlighted the Ministry’s development plans and programs, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and coordination with UN partners. He said the sector’s priorities include training and qualifying teachers and educational leaders, and developing vocational and technical education, curricula, infrastructure, and communications.

He noted that Jordan hosts about 250,000 students from more than 85 nationalities and remains committed to providing quality education for all children despite the pressures of hosting large numbers of refugees.

Mahafzah explained that the Ministry is implementing the BTEC program in vocational schools, focusing on specializations that meet labor market needs. He said two new specializations sports and healthcare were added this academic year due to increasing student demand.

He underlined the importance of integrating artificial intelligence in education and developing digital infrastructure to improve learning outcomes and align with global technological advancements.

Mahafzah also pointed to plans to merge the Ministries of Education and Higher Education into the new "Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development," which will unify policy-making and consolidate responsibilities related to education.

For their part, the delegation reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United Nations and Jordan, commending the Kingdom’s pivotal regional role and resilience despite the pressures of hosting refugees. They expressed continued support for Jordan’s national priorities and educational development programs.

The visit follows the approval of the three organizations’ new four-year strategic plans, reflecting their renewed commitment to supporting Jordan’s development priorities and sustainable growth.

The three UN organizations manage a broad portfolio in Jordan, supporting national efforts in areas such as climate change adaptation, inclusive growth, health system strengthening, good governance, and social protection.

//Petra// NQ