Bron: http://www.justlanded.nl/english/Oman/Oman-Guide/Education
Introduction
Schools in Oman
Education plays a pivotal role in Oman’s development programmes. The government has been quick to realise the importance of improving the educational infrastructures, and oil has provided the money to do so.
That isn’t to say that education had previously been unavailable in Oman, but limited resources, an insular attitude and the desire to retain the status quo meant that education had been basic and only the brightest pupils went on to higher education, and then only if their families could afford it.
The vast influx of foreigners into this formerly secluded region emphasised the need to ‘catch up’. Oman’s government realised that there was a need to provide a well-educated, resourceful local workforce for the future, displacing the continual need for expatriates to undertake even basic maintenance of state utilities. Major programmes for building schools and colleges of higher education were undertaken and continue to this day, and standards of education have been raised significantly. Arab students are now found in the world’s most prestigious universities, particularly in the UK and USA, where their skills equal those of their counterparts from other countries. The old view of the backward, ill-educated Arab has largely vanished.
There’s a fairly wide choice of schools in Oman, although state (i.e. government-funded) schools usually aim at Omani citizens and Arabs only, as these schools are based on a an exclusively Islamic curriculum. The private sector provides for the expatriate communities, and its schools are generally of a reasonable standard, especially for primary education. However, a child’s secondary education is sometimes better provided for in their home country. The Ministry of Education controls standards in the state schools and have some influence over the establishment, legitimacy and running of those in the private sector, in some instances stipulating that school hours and days match those of the state schools.
A key decision for expatriates with school-age children (particularly those at secondary school age) is whether to send them to boarding school in their home country and, if so, at what age? First, do you want to be separated from your child(ren) for months at a time? Do you feel it important that your children are brought up exposed to and aware of their national culture and environment by being educated at home? On the other hand, Oman is a wonderful environment for children, being safe and clean, with plenty of opportunities for exercise and sports, and with sunshine, sea and beautiful beaches; do you want to deprive them of all this by packing them off to boarding school in a country which may lack these advantages? You’re advised to listen to advice from other expatriates who have made these difficult decisions.
When deciding on the type of education best suited to your child(ren)’s needs, you should also ask yourself the following questions:
- Are Oman's educational system and examination qualifications recognised in your home country, the country in which your child will probably eventually have to make his way?
- When your child returns to your native country, will his education be ahead of or behind that of his peers?
- What is the academic record of the school you propose to select?
State or Private School?
How to make the right choice
Note that in many cases state schools aren’t an option, and that the vast majority of non-Arab expatriates send their children to private schools.
If you’re non-Muslim, you might not be allowed access to state schools. Even if you are, local Arab children and children of Arab expatriates are likely to have priority over other foreigners for places, which might be scarce.
How long do you envisage staying in the region? If you don’t know, assume it will be for two years, in which case you should opt for a private school. If you think that you will be in the region for many years, you might consider a state school to teach your child the local culture, although very few expatriates send their children to state schools even in these circumstances.
Will cultural differences cause problems? Sending your child(ren) to a state school will to a large extent remove them from the expatriate community.
What about religion? Islam is the fundamental way of life in the Arab world and pressure might be exerted for your children to convert. Muslims believe that all of us are born Muslim, some people moving away from the ‘truth’ later.
If your work prospects indicate a long-term future for your family in Oman, you might see your child’s integration into the local community as important. A later switch to private education, however, might prove difficult and stall your child’s development.
Note also that naturalisation and citizenship are very rarely granted to foreigners, even in the long-term, so your child(ren) are unlikely ever to be assimilated fully into the local culture.
An obvious obstacle is the use of the Arabic language in state schools. The curriculum is entirely Arabic-based (English is taught only as a foreign language), although with very young children this isn’t a problem, as they adapt so easily.
Will you be able to help your children with their education, particularly in view of the language barrier?
Is special or extra tutoring available in Arabic?
What are the school days and hours?Are they similar to the hours you do at work? Will school holidays align easily with your periods of leave?
Do you want your child to attend a co-educational or single sex school? In the Arab state system, schools are single sex, whereas most private schools are co-educational.
You should also consider the advantages and disadvantages of private schools in the Gulf. If you decide to educate your child(ren) in the state system, you must visit the Ministry of Education offices for information about availability, qualifications and procedures.
Private Schools
An overview of private schools in Oman
Private schools are common in Oman, mainly to cater for the large expatriate community.
The majority are managed by and run for English-speaking western expatriates, although many local families choose to send their children to these schools, perhaps in the belief that the tuition will be better and also because of the international importance of the English language. There are schools for the children of Americans, British, French, Germans, Egyptians, Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Japanese and many other nationalities, as well as international schools catering for a variety of nationalities. The vast majority of private schools teach in English, including the Indian and Pakistani schools. Minority expatriate groups such as the Japanese, French and Germans tend to send their children to international schools, at which the main teaching language is English.
Some private establishments restrict enrolment to pupils of the relevant nationality, e.g. a British government-aided school. Others might have rules concerning religion. International schools tend to have fewer restrictions.
Most private schools are co-educational and provide tuition to children from pre-school nursery groups through to university entrance examinations, preparing them for a variety of examinations – often British A levels or the International Baccalaureate, which can be taken in the Gulf. There are also plenty of private pre-schools, including play groups, nurseries, kindergartens and infant schools. These schools are voluntary, but widely attended, partly because they allow expatriate mothers to socialise. Restrictions on wives securing work visas mean that they can feel isolated at home.
In general, standards at private schools are high, with small class sizes and modern facilities, but some parents find that their children have some catching up to do when they return to their home country. Some schools catering for pupils from India and Pakistan face heavy demand for places, due to the large number of workers from those countries. There can be severe overcrowding, pupils sometimes being taught in shifts.
Private foreign and international schools tend to have more relaxed, flexible regimes and curricula and to be less formal in terms of dress, behaviour and pupil/teacher relationships than their equivalents in Europe and North America. Some see this as a good thing, others as a negative. A drawback of private schools in the region is their high staff turnover. Like other expatriates, teachers tend to change jobs and locations quite frequently. This can lead to a lack of continuity in children’s education and be a disruptive influence.
Structure
The school structure varies between different types of school in Oman, but those catering for American, British, Indian and Pakistani pupils tend to be either primary (for children aged 4 to 11) or secondary (11 to 18). Those catering for children of other nationalities are usually divided into four categories, as follows:
School Type | Pupil Ages |
Pre-kindergarten & Kindergarten | 3–6 |
Elementary | 6–11 |
Secondary | 12–14 |
High | 15–18 |
Enrolment
Applications to private schools should be made as early as possible, particularly to international schools, which sometimes have waiting lists. You might need recent school reports or a previous headteacher’s letter of appraisal. For UK and other western expatriates, the British Council is a useful source of information about educational establishments. Enrolment in private schools usually involves an interview with parent and child, and might also involve an examination (only for the child, you will be relieved to know!).
School Hours
There are many different types of school in Oman, offering different curricula to children of various cultural backgrounds, and school hours and holidays vary accordingly, although a school day running from around 8am to 2.30pm is common, from Saturday to Wednesday inclusive. Some schools – particularly those catering for children of Asian workers – operate from early morning to evening, in two shifts.
Fees
The cost of private education can be high, but in some cases the fees are paid by your employer as part of your contract. It’s vitally important to be aware of the cost of private schooling over the course of a child’s education, particularly if this will include university. What might begin as a manageable expense can quickly become a major financial encumbrance if there are regular increases in fees, as there often are.
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Gulf States & Saudi Arabia. Click here to get a copy now.
List of Private Schools
Names & Addresses
The following are the most highly regarded private schools in Oman. Note that the age ranges given are approximate and can change according to demand for places.
American-British Academy , PO Box 372, Medinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, PC 115 (Tel. 968-24603646). Ages 3–17.
American International School of Muscat , PO Box 584, Muscat 115 (Tel. 968-24595180). Ages 3–18.
The British School – Muscat , PO Box 1907, Ruwi, PC 112 (Tel. 968-24600842). Ages 3–18.
Muscat International School , PO Box 1031, Ruwi, PC 112 (Tel. 968-24565550). Ages 3–18.
The Sultan’s School , PO Box 665, Seeb Code 121 (Tel. 968-24536 777). Ages 3–18.
A useful source of additional information is The British Council, PO Box 73, Postal Code 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos (Tel. 968-24681000).
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