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**The Educational System in the Sultanate of Oman**

Oman operates on a 6-3-3-4 system

-   Primary school - 6 years

-   Preparatory school - 3 years

-   Secondary school - 3 years

-   University bachelor's degree - 4 years

**Language:**

The official languages of instruction in the Omani educational system
are Arabic and English.

Primary School: At the age of six, children may enter primary school for
a period of six years (however this tends to vary, especially in rural
areas). In order to progress to the following academic year, students
must pass examinations at the end of each year. On completion of the
sixth year, students proceed to preparatory schools. Mixed schools
account for one-third of the total primary schools.

Preparatory School: Preparatory education is a three-year cycle from the
age of 12. The curriculum covers the following subjects:

-   Islamic studies

-   Arabic

-   English

-   Arts and crafts

-   General science and health

-   History, geography and civil studies

-   Mathematics

-   Physical education

-   Music

-   Home economics (for girls)

As in primary school, preparatory school students are also required to
pass examinations at the end of each year in order to advance to the
following year.

This applies in all but the most rural areas.

Secondary School: Secondary education covers a three-year period for
students between the ages of 15 and 18. After the fist year, students
are divided into arts and sciences streams. Upon completion of the third
year of secondary education, students take the *thanawiya amma* exam to
earn the Secondary School leaving certificate.

Subjects and relative weighting relating to science and arts stream are
illustrated below:

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Science                             Arts

  Arabic                              Arabic/3

  Islamic studies                     Islamic studies

  Math                                Social Studies/3

  Physics                             Geography & History

  Chemistry                           English/2

  Biology                             Math

  English                             Science

  Physical education                  Physical education
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Students are tested in all subjects except physical education.

New School System: A complete overhaul of the school system is currently
underway with the first graduates expected to graduate in 2007, when
this system should be operational nationwide. This involves a shift away
from the 6+3+3 system to a 10+2 structure. The first ten years will be
divided into cycle one (Grades 1 to 4) and cycle two (Grades 5 to 10).
The first ten years are to be referred to as *Basic Education*, but the
title of the final award is under review.

The primary goal is to reduce drop-out rates, by encouraging all
participants in the national school system to remain in school until age
16 and maximize basic skills and literacy levels. (While it is not
strictly speaking compulsory, it is expected that students will want to
remain in school.) Class sizes are also to be reduced.

The main themes of the new system are as follows:

-   IT and English language are to be introduced into the first year of
    primary school.

-   Other new subjects including life environmental skills, first aid,
    civics, globalization, economics, health issues (such as AIDS, drugs
    etc) will be integrated rather than treated as completely separate
    subjects.

-   Reduction in class sizes

-   New methods of assessment, including continuous assessment.

-   Encouragement of independent thought and a reduced reliance on
    rote/teacher central learning.

-   New textbooks

-   Widespread use of and access to technology and other sources of
    information in conjunction with standard texts and teaching.

-   Increased daily study hours

-   Co-education

Science and mathematics are currently more developed than humanities. It
is estimated that the job market in Oman will be more competitive once
this system is fully in place. It is also planned that completion of the
T*hanawiya Amma* will become compulsory nationwide. There is also a
drive to improve the provision of special needs schooling which has
previously been somewhat neglected.

University Education: Theoretically, students require 65% in the
*Thanawiya Amma* examinations to enter the university. However, due to
the demand for places, entry is competitive, and in practice, popular
courses may need a minimum of 90% to earn an undergraduate place.
Medicine generally requires 90%. The university is required to maintain
an even balance of males and females at the undergraduate level and as
females tend to score consistently higher than males on the *Thanawaiya
Amma,* the university tends to require higher grades for females than
for their male counterparts for admissions.

**Public universities in Oman:**

-   Sultan Qaboos University

-   Educational Colleges (Specialist College)

-   Higher College of Technology

-   Al, Musanna College of Technology

-   Nizwa College pf Technology

-   Ibra College of Technology

-   Salalah College of Technology

-   Shinas College of Technology

-   Institutes of health

-   College of banking& financial studies

-   Institute of Shari'a Sciences

**Private Higher Education Institutions:**

-   Sohar University

-   Dhofar University

-   University of Nizwa

-   Majan College

-   Modern College of Business and Science

-   Caledonian College of Engineering

-   Al Zahra College for Women

-   Mazoon College

-   Oman Medical College

-   Sur University College

-   Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences

-   Middle East College of Information Technology

-   Al Buraimi College

-   Scientific College of Design

-   Oman College of Management & Technology

-   Gulf College

-   Muscat College

-   The fire and safety Engineering College

-   Oman College of Tourism

-   International Maritime College Oman

-   Bayan College

-   Oman Dental College

The Bachelors degree courses vary in length depending upon subject, but
are usually 4 - 4.5 years, exclusive of the one year foundation course,
in which students take English Language training. After the foundation
year, the student transfers to the parent faculty.

Higher education colleges are currently entitled to award courses in
affiliation with and degrees from overseas recognized universities. This
is planned to change with the colleges awarding their own degrees (while
maintaining an affiliation), although no specific time frame has been
specified. The only exception is Sohar University, which has been
awarding its own degrees since 2005.

Only two post graduate courses are currently awarded through the private
sector, both offered on a distance learning, part-time basis:

-   Masters in Business Administration from the University of Hull.

-   Masters in Business Administration from the Banking Institute,
    affiliated with the University of Strathclyde.

Omani's in the United States: not complete yet!

**Testing:** The SAT is offered only in the Muscat region. The GRE and
GMAT are not offered in Oman. Students usually travel to Dubai to sit
for these exams. The TOEFL is widely offered in Oman and mainly at the
ESL center. The ESL center administers the IBT version. Other
institutions still administer the paper based TOEFL. Many Omani students
prefer to take the IELTS as opposed to the TOEFL.

**Educational Advising**: The EducationUSA Educational Advising Center
in Oman is located at the American Embassy in Muscat. Services offered
include assistance with application forms, organizing pre departure
orientations, assistance with US college fairs, and preparing students
for US higher education.

Hiyaam Al-Barwani

Phone: 968-24-698-989 ext: 201

Fax: 968-24-699-771

<Barwanihs@state.gov>

I would appreciate two copies of your catalogue, video/ CD-ROM, and lots
of posters!

Educational Advisor

American Embassy

P.O.BOX 202

P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos

Sultanate of Oman