AMMAN — The Ministry of Education on Tuesday announced the launch of a pioneering Chromebook distribution pilot programme, implemented in a strategic partnership with Google and financed by the World Bank under the MASAR Programme. 

 

This initiative aims to strengthen the country's digital learning environment by providing students with reliable devices, online platforms, updated educational resources, and a modern suite of tools to support creative learning, according to a ministry statement.

 

The announcement coincides with an official working visit to Tokyo, Japan, led by Minister of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research and Member of the National Council for Future Technology Azmi Mahafzah, and accompanied delegation.

 

To help inform Jordan's scalable transformation strategies, the delegation is examining global best practices, notably Japan’s highly successful GIGA School Programme, through high-level meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), and leading technology hubs.

 

Highlighting the pilot's national significance, Mahafzah stressed that the initiative lays the vital foundation for scalable national digital transformation by combining international expertise with rigorous evaluation to ensure sustainable impact.

 

Mahafzah also emphasised that engaging with Japan’s GIGA experience reinforces Jordan’s commitment to building a future-ready education ecosystem that integrates innovation, inclusivity, and research-based policy development.

 

Following comprehensive impact evaluations of this trial phase, the Ministry plans to refine its implementation framework and prepare for a phased national expansion, firmly positioning Jordan as a regional leader in responsible and inclusive digital education reform.

 

The pilot will encompass 5,000 students from across the Kingdom, spanning grades four through ten. The goal of the pilot is to measure the impact of computer device integration on students’ achievement and digital literacy development, the statement read.

 

Pilot schools will benefit from the full integration of Google Workspace for Education and the Chromebook devices, whereby the impact on students will be methodically assessed and compared against control groups.

 

Chromebooks are affordable, cloud-first laptops designed for secure, easy-to-manage learning, making them a practical fit for public education systems.

 

In alignment with the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive education, the pilot purposefully includes ten visually impaired students from the Abdullah Bin Maktoum School.

 

These students will receive specially configured Chromebooks featuring advanced assistive technologies, screen-reading functionality, and adaptive interfaces, all supported by specialised teacher training to guarantee meaningful digital participation and equitable learning opportunities.

 

The pilot represents a strategic milestone in Jordan’s broader vision to modernise its educational infrastructure, strengthen teacher professional development, and implement policy reform grounded in empirical evidence and international benchmarking.