Muscat – Ministry of Education (MoE) has unveiled a raft of initiatives aimed at strengthening Oman’s education system, with sharp focus on student safety, digital transformation and infrastructure expansion.

Speaking in a televised interview, DrAli bin Humaid al Jahouri, Advisor to Minister of Education and the ministry’s official spokesperson, said the measures reflect a commitment to building “a safe and integrated learning environment” that meets the needs of all students, including those with special needs.

For the first time, the ministry has contracted 400 female supervisors to accompany students with disabilities on school buses, ensuring additional care and support during their daily commute. To further improve safety, 800 new school buses have been purchased, supplementing contracts for more than 20,000 buses already in operation across the sultanate. Annual spending on student transportation now exceeds RO99mn.

Education funding has also been bolstered in other key areas – RO9mn has been allocated for printing schoolbooks, RO14mn for school cleaning contracts and RO6mn for new classroom furniture.

On the digital front, the ministry is fast-tracking efforts to enhance Internet connectivity in schools. Contracts have been signed with specialised firms to increase bandwidth, while satellite Internet has been provided in 50 remote schools. A total of 5,000 interactive screens have been installed in the first phase of a three-part project that will eventually equip every classroom in the sultanate.

A comprehensive e-learning system is also set to go live in all schools in the first semester, offering interactive digital textbooks. Virtual science labs, a digital atlas, a new student data management system and an education evaluation platform are in the pipeline. Jahouri stressed that the ministry has adopted a “community participation” model to drive its digital transformation.

MoE is also boosting human resources, appointing 3,444 new teachers across various specialisations. Meanwhile, to address the challenges of crowded classrooms and evening schools, expansion works are underway at several institutions. Twenty new schools are slated to open in the 2026/27 academic year.

“These steps are part of a comprehensive vision to build a safe, smart and inclusive education system,” Jahouri noted, highlighting the ministry’s focus on both quality learning and student well-being.

Key Highlights

Student Safety

• 400 female bus supervisors for students with disabilities
• 800 new school buses
• RO99mn annual transport spending

Education Infrastructure

• RO9mn for schoolbooks
• RO14mn for cleaning contracts
• RO6mn for furniture
• 20 new schools by 2026/27

Digital Transformation

• Satellite Internet for 50 remote schools
• 5,000 interactive screens installed
• Nationwide e-learning with digital textbooks this semester
• Virtual labs, digital atlas, student data system and evaluation platform