His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, chaired a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace on Sunday to follow up on the implementation of the National Strategy for Human Resources Development 2016-2025, since its launch two years ago.

During the meeting attended by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, King Abdullah stressed the importance of reviewing actual achievements and the need to accelerate the delivery of the remaining goals.

As Jordan’s key asset, human resources development remains a strategic priority for Jordan, His Majesty emphasised.

Citizens need to see an improvement in education services, the King stressed, calling for swift reforms in the vocational and technical education sector, to equip trainees with the skills necessary to compete in the labour market, and adopting technology in various educational programs.

Prime Minister Razzaz presented progress achieved in implementing the Strategy, noting that 35 percent of its recommendations and projects have been implemented as planned.

The National Centre for Curriculum Development is functioning at full capacity, he said, developing new math and science curricula in partnership with Jordanian experts in accordance with the best international standards in this field, in addition to expanding teacher training programs.

Prime Minister Razzaz noted that newly built schools have started operating to accommodate the growing numbers of students.

He also projected that 100 percent of children will have access to quality early childhood learning in nurseries and kindergartens by 2025.

Discussing plans to develop the higher education sector, Razzaz referred to measures taken to enhance the skills of academic faculty members, as well as promoting good governance at universities.

For his part, Labour Minister Samir Murad stressed the important role that the private sector plays in developing advanced training programs, which address labour market needs.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Adviser to His Majesty for Economic Affairs Mohamad Al Ississ, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adel Tweissi and Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah also attended the meeting.