Muscat: The Minister of Education who was hosted by the Majlis A'Shura said that the ministry seeks to reduce the density of educational classes to around 25 students
The Director General has specific powers to amend school hours within a framework that does not affect teaching time.
The minister added that the number of public school students increased by 20.5% from 678,000 in 2020/2021 to 817,000 in 2024/2025 and the number of schools by 10.4 percent from 1,182 schools in 2020/2021 to 1,306 schools in 2025/2026.
There are plans to recruit 15,000 Omani male and female teachers in the tenth five-year plan, including 4,000 teachers in 2025/2026, compared to 6,800 teachers in the ninth five-year plan.
The number of private schools has increased by 39 percent to 1,223 in 2024/2025, compared to 880 schools in 2019/2020 and the number of students in private schools increased from 189,000 in 2019/2020 to 233,000 in 2024/2025.
The government has allocated a budget of RO27.4 million for the digital transformation in education to develop the digital education and artificial intelligence system.
The minister said that students with autism need special care and there are challenges in integrating autistic students into government schools.
"The ministry will open the door to availing services from private schools to receive students with special needs.
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