Jordan

Jordan’s education system has developed within a context shaped by limited natural resources and a young and growing population.

The country’s Ministry of Education guides education policy, setting national strategy, curricula, and standards for pre-tertiary education, while the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research oversees the post-secondary sector. Implementation is coordinated through a centralized framework, though schools and local directorates manage day-to-day operations across the country.

The system spans basic education, secondary education, and higher education. Basic education in Jordan consists of 10 years of compulsory schooling, beginning at the elementary level and continuing through lower secondary education. This stage is publicly funded and aims to provide foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and core academic subjects.

Following basic education, students progress to two years of upper secondary education, where they choose between academic and vocational tracks. The academic pathway prepares students for university study, while vocational education and training programs are designed to equip learners with technical and practical skills aligned with labor market needs. Public schools serve as the primary providers of education, complemented by a significant private sector that offers alternative curricula and instructional approaches.

Progression through the system is shaped primarily by national examinations. At the end of secondary education, students sit for the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi), a high-stakes assessment that plays a decisive role in determining access to higher education and fields of study. Performance on this examination remains a defining feature of students’ academic trajectories, contributing to a system that places considerable emphasis on exam preparation.

Jordan’s higher education sector includes public and private universities, as well as community colleges that offer applied and technical programs.

Universities provide undergraduate and graduate degrees across a wide range of disciplines, while colleges focus on diploma-level qualifications and workforce-oriented training. The sector has expanded over time to accommodate increasing demand, with quality assurance and accreditation frameworks in place to regulate institutional standards and program delivery.

The education system continues to face an array of challenges, including pressure on infrastructure and resources due to population growth and the enrollment of large numbers of refugee students, particularly from Syria, in the past 10 years. Double-shift schooling, teacher shortages, and disparities in access and quality remain ongoing concerns. At the same time, national reforms and international partnerships, including support from organizations such as UNICEF, have focused on improving access, enhancing teacher training, integrating technology in classrooms, and strengthening inclusive education policies.