The House of Representatives continued, during a legislative session on Monday, its discussion of the draft Law on Education and Human Resource Development for 2026, after approving Article One out of a total of 29 articles in the bill.
Prior to the session, the Legal Committee reviewed the draft amended Real Estate Ownership Law for 2026, while the Energy and Mineral Resources Committee is scheduled to meet, after the session, with the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom, Guo Wei.
On Sunday, MPs approved Article One of the Education and Human Resource Development bill by majority, after introducing a minor amendment stipulating that the law will come into effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, instead of 30 days.
Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Azmi Mahafzah, stated that the draft law “does not merge the two ministries but replaces them with the establishment of a new ministry,” adding that the new ministry will be created under a new administrative structure to be approved by the Council of Ministers.
Mahafzah explained that the new ministry will include four secretaries-general under the current direction.
The draft law comes as part of ongoing efforts to restructure and modernize the education sector in the Kingdom, in line with the government’s commitment to implementing the Economic Modernization Vision and the public sector modernization roadmap and their related initiatives. These include the establishment of a Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development as the legal successor to the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The draft law reflects the outcomes of extensive scientific efforts over the past period, including a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the education sector in accordance with best practices, with the participation of numerous experts, academics, and specialists.
It was introduced in response to the need to unify the authorities responsible for the education system and human resource development across all educational stages, thereby supporting the advancement and development of education and establishing a new structural framework for the sector.
The bill aims to improve the quality of education at all levels in line with national and international standards, enhance its outcomes, quality, and competitiveness, and strengthen scientific research and innovation, while ensuring sustainability in development and modernization, alongside maintaining free education at the basic level.
It also seeks to develop graduates’ skills to boost their competitiveness in the labor market by aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs and development priorities, as well as strengthening the independence of Jordanian universities.
