Former minister calls for complete overhaul of higher education system

AMMAN — The higher education system in Jordan requires an overall revision to link it primarily to market needs, a veteran educational expert said on Wednesday.

Former education minister Said Tal noted that in any well-organised market there is a workforce hierarchy that incorporates craftsmen, technicians, professionals, specialists and experts, and this “formula is completely absent in the local market”.

“In all advanced countries, technicians outnumber professionals 33 to 50 except in Jordan, where it is the exact opposite,” Tal said at a seminar organised by Al Rai Centre for Studies. 

Tal added that the imbalances in the local market are the direct result of the imbalanced education system. 

“It is being said that there are around one million guest workers in Jordan and a considerable number of jobless Jordanians, but this is all due to poor education planning.”

Tal noted that during the 1970s Jordanians used to do all the jobs that are nowadays taken by guest workers. 

“At that time, Jordanians used to be painters, builders, plumbers, gardeners — everything.”

“What needs to be considered in Jordan is the quality and philosophy of education as well as the link between education outputs and market needs.”

The former minister said the basic function, goal and programmes of the Balqa Applied University (BAU), which encompasses various community colleges around the Kingdom, needs to be reconsidered.

“This university was primarily meant to enhance technical education in the Kingdom... This institution was called a university to attract as many students as possible. The BAU is now operating contrary to its very purpose,” he said.

Describing the country’s education system as varying between good and very good, but not excellent, Tal noted that the Kingdom has all the makings of an excellent education system. 

“All we need to do is to activate our existing assets.”

Education in advanced countries is a profession that is carried out by licensed teachers, Tal stressed, adding that the same case should apply in Jordan.

He expressed hope that the Jordan Teachers Association would cooperate with universities to initiate a teacher training programme that all educators must attend.