Announcement of Jordan Introduces Reforms in Education System on June 30, 1989

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.* Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 89/104 Contact: Fawzi Rihane (202) 473-2675 JORDAN INTRODUCES REFORMS IN EDUCATION SYSTEM WASHINGTON, June 30, 1989 -- Jordan will launch the first phase of a reform program designed to upgrade the quality of basic and secondary education and strengthen the country's training system. The World Bank is supporting these efforts with a $73 million loan. The 10-year program will be implemented in three phases and will provide Jordan with the skilled manpower needed to promote export-oriented, high- technology manufacturing and service. It will also help revive the country's competitiveness in the Middle East's skilled-labor market. The $252.5 million program will finance the introduction of new curricula, the development of the textbook industry and training for 4,000 primary-school teachers, 1,500 secondary-school teachers and 360 principals and school supervisors. In addition, in-service training will be provided to about 12,000 primary-school teachers, 4,800 principals and supervisors, and 750 support staff. A new bachelor-of-arts program for primary-school teachers will be introduced at universities. About 180 schools will be constructed and about half of these will be completed during the first phase of the program. The schools will accommodate about 52,000 students, including 36,000 new students. Vocational training at existing and new training centers will be expanded and a national center for educational research and development will be established. The latter will help institutionalize research in education and will develop the capacity to evaluate and help sustain ongoing innovation in education. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including five years of grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.65 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual interest charge of 0.75 percent on the undisbursed balance. Note: Money figures are in U.S. dollar equivalents.