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

King Abdullah was briefed on progress in implementing the strategy’s’ recommendations since its launch in September 2016 to build the capacities of human resources and provide a framework for education-related sectors, starting from early childhood and up until entering the labour market.

His Majesty called for coordinating efforts to continue the strategy’s implementation, stressing that it is a key priority.

Any attempt to distort the reform process is unacceptable, the King said.

Efforts to reform education must have tangible results by the start of the next academic year (September 2018), His Majesty added, and regular follow-up will continue to ensure that everything is going in the right direction, and to institutionalise this mode of operation for consecutive governments.

The King also urged tangible steps to effect fundamental change in vocational education, by ensuring its quality and enabling trainees to gain the skills that will qualify them to compete in the labour market.

His Majesty commended the progress made in implementing the strategy’s priorities, expressing support for efforts to ensure its goals and projects are achieved.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Hani Mulki said the government is committed to implementing royal directives to enhance the education sector at all levels and to utilise innovative technology in the educational process.

Mulki also outlined the government’s plan to engage the private sector in planning and implementing measures to address the challenges that impede progress in overhauling technical and vocational education.

Noting the establishment of the National Centre for Curriculum Development, the prime minister said the centre will receive the support necessary to ensure it achieves its goals.

He also outlined plans underway to professionalise teaching and enhance proficiency to provide quality education for students.

Higher Education Minister Adel Tweisi presented a briefing on the ministry’s efforts to implement the strategy’s recommendations on higher education, citing the process of assessing the performance of universities and their presidents, as well as plans to ensure good governance at universities.

Tweisi also referred to the ministry’s achievements in firmly dealing with campus violence, as well as providing career guidance to secondary education graduates.

For his part, Labour Minister Ali Ghezawi said a law on the higher council for vocational and technical education and training for the year 2018 is being reviewed by the Legislation and Opinion Bureau.

The bill seeks to enhance the level of technical and vocational education in the Kingdom, Ghezawi noted.

Also at the meeting, Education Minister Omar Razzaz outlined his ministry’s progress in integrating ICT into the learning process.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

The National Strategy for Human Resources Development is the outcome of recommendations by the National Committee for Human Resources Development, formed upon His Majesty’s directives to the government in March 2015.

The strategy is listed as a key pillar of the Jordan Economic Growth Plan (2018-2022).