AMMAN — The Lower House on Sunday began deliberations on the 2026 Education and Human Resources Development Law, endorsing the first article of the draft legislation.

 

The draft law proposes the establishment of a unified Ministry of Education, Teaching and Human Resources Development, intended to oversee all stages of education, from early childhood to higher education and vocational training.

 

The legislation also establishes a National Council for Human Resources Development, chaired by the prime minister, to set national policies in coordination with relevant stakeholders, and expands the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission’s mandate to cover all education and training institutions, public and private.

 

It also aims to streamline governance, improve quality, and better align educational outcomes with labour market demands.

 

Head of the Lower House Education Committee Ibrahim Qarraleh said the draft law lays the foundation for “an integrated education system centred on human development,” aimed at preparing a generation capable of responding to contemporary challenges.

 

He added that the bill seeks to unify educational reference frameworks within a single institutional structure, linking various stages of education to ensure consistency in policies and outcomes.

 

“The project emphasises aligning education outputs with labour market needs and building an effective human resources development system that begins with identifying students’ aptitudes early on,” Qarraleh said, stressing the importance of equipping students with skills that enhance productivity and competitiveness.

 

Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah said that the draft law does not merge the existing ministries but rather establishes a new entity to replace them.

 

“The new ministry will succeed the current ministries under a revised administrative structure to be approved by the Cabinet,” Mahafzah said, noting that the proposed structure includes four secretaries-general in line with current reform directions.

 

Lawmaker voiced concerns that consolidating education and human resources development under a single ministry could place excessive administrative burdens on the new entity.

 

They also stressed that structural reform alone would not be sufficient, calling for parallel efforts to address longstanding challenges such as outdated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and gaps in educational outcomes.

 

MPs also underlined the need to empower teachers through improved training, resources, and institutional support, noting that effective reform depends on enhancing the capacity of educators to deliver modern, student-centred learning.

 

The Cabinet approved the draft law on January 12 before referring it to the Lower House, which in turn assigned it to the Education Committee for review in early February.

 

The proposed reforms come as part of broader efforts to restructure the education sector, improve competitiveness, and ensure that graduates possess the skills required for both domestic and international labour markets.