Discover how Muscat’s Ministry of Education plans to hire 4,000 new Omani teachers in 2025/2026 and expand government and private schools. Learn about growth in student enrolment, human resource development, and quality education initiatives driven by Royal Directives in Oman.
Muscat – In a recent session hosted by Majlis A’Shura, Dr Madiha bint Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education, shared key updates on the sultanate’s dynamic education sector. Driven by strong government backing and Royal Directives from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the education system is experiencing remarkable growth.
Significant Growth in Student Enrolment and Schools
- Student Increase: Government school enrolment surged from 678,000 in the 2020/2021 academic year to 817,000 in 2024/2025—a growth of 20.5%.
- School Expansion: The total number of schools is set to rise by 10.4%, reaching 1,306 in 2025/2026 compared to 1,182 in 2020/2021.
Boost in Teacher Recruitment
The Ministry of Education has made substantial progress in human resource development:
- Teacher Appointments: Under the first four years of the 10th Five-Year Plan, 15,000 Omani teachers were appointed, more than doubling the 6,800 hired during the previous plan.
- Upcoming Recruitment: An additional 4,000 teachers, mostly Omani, are scheduled to join in the 2025/2026 academic year. This brings the total number of new appointments under the current plan to over 19,000.
Growth in Private and International Schools
Private and international school education is also on the rise:
- School Numbers: The number of private and international schools, including kindergartens, increased from 880 in 2019/2020 to 1,223 in 2024/2025—a 39% increase.
- Student Enrolment: Private school enrolment grew from 189,000 to 233,000 between 2019/2020 and 2024/2025, with 96,000 students enrolled in pre-school education.
Conclusion
The latest developments in Muscat’s education sector reflect a strong commitment to quality education, teacher training, and infrastructure expansion. With significant increases in student enrolment, new school establishments, and a robust teacher recruitment strategy, Oman is set to enhance its educational landscape in the coming academic years.
