Moves from private to public schools in middle of academic year to open on Sunday

AMMAN — The Ministry of Education has opened the door for students who intend to move from private to public schools starting from next Sunday, the ministry's spokesperson, Walid Jallad, said Thursday.

The decision was taken due to the rising demand from the parents of students to facilitate these moves, Jallad told The Jordan Times over the phone, adding that the ministry works to meet the expectations of the public.

He said the ministry gives students the right to choose which type of school to attend at the beginning of every school year, noting that 67,000 students have been moved from private to public schools since September.

The reasons behind transferring from private to public schools differ from one student to another, but include economic burdens and a change in the student's residence or a parent's place of work, Jallad said.

Jordan Teachers Association Spokesperson Ayman Okour attributed the increasing demand to move students to public schools to the high tuition fees at private schools. 

He called on private schools to be fair and reduce the economic burdens on students' parents.

Okour said moving students at this time of year could disrupt the educational process and affect the capacity of public schools, since they have already settled enrolment for the year and have a sufficient number of students.

"We can accept a reasonable number of students, but any further increase in numbers will definitely takes its toll on the budget of public schools, because they will find themselves committed to securing a suitable atmosphere for the new students," the spokesperson said, noting that, for example, those new students are not going to sit on the ground and will require additional desks.

"As a syndicate, it is our duty to cooperate with everybody and preserve stability in the educational process, but this is also the responsibility of all," Okour added.