Mohammed Al-Zadjaali Oman

Bio:

Mohammed is the Head of Education of the Illiteracy Section, Batena Region, of the Ministry of Education, in the Sultanate of Oman. Educated in Oman, Mohamed began teaching primary regular morning education in 1970. Since then, he has been striving to eradicate illiteracy in Oman. He has had formal training from the Ministry of Education, including training at the two largest specialized adult education centers, the Regional Center for Adult Education in Bahrain and Surras Aliyam. After completing his training, Mohamed began his literacy work in Batena region. Mohamed is excited to be at the SLTP in order to learn from colleagues from all over the world, as well as work on his English, since most citizens of Oman speak Arabic.

Synopsis :

Mr. Al-Zadjaali discusses the future of literacy education in Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman is populated by more than two million people and is located in the southeast section of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia borders it to the west, Yemen to the south, the Arabian Sea to the east, and the Gulf of Oman to the north. Since Oman is in close proximity to the Persian Gulf, the oil trade is extremely important to its economy. Since most of the interior is made up of desert, many Omani live in the fertile area around the coast of the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Literacy education began in earnest in Oman in 1973 and the subjects concentrated on are Arabic, Islamic education, math, general education, and family education. Classes meet five days a week in the first year with extra sessions added in the second. Students who pass the exam administered after classes receive a certificate equivalent to primary school. Studies have estimated that over thirty thousand people have graduated from these classes in the last twenty-five years, significantly reducing the number of illiterates in Oman, especially among women. The CIA World Factbook estimates that the literacy rate in Oman is approaching 80% and increasing.

The future literacy plan of Oman includes the following three steps:

• Continue to concentrate resources in insuring every citizen has educational abilities consistent with a primary education through a three year program
• Expansion of the English language and its teaching
• To specialize a practical program for women including instruction in crafts to augment family income

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