MUSCAT: Reflecting the spirit of giving during the holy month of Ramadhan, a new philanthropic initiative in Oman is encouraging the public to support students who have dropped out of school or were unable to complete their education due to financial hardship or family circumstances.
Launched by Siraj and Mithqal LLC — Oman’s first bank-integrated digital philanthropy network — the initiative, known as the Education Endowment Foundation, operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MoARA).
The programme aims to support young people who aspire to continue their studies and build a better future.
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Education, a considerable number of students in both public and private institutions discontinue their education before obtaining a secondary school diploma.
Among the key reasons cited are lack of motivation to pursue higher studies, socio-economic pressures, health issues and family-related challenges.
“Siraj is the first charitable organisation in Oman to achieve full integration with a local bank for seamless digital payment and smart donation processing,” said Mahmood bin Khalfan al Hadidi, CEO of the initiative.
He explained that the direct bank integration enables cashless donations through contactless systems while ensuring that every contribution is recorded in real time, strengthening governance and transparency in the management of funds.
The endowment will support low-income students and gifted youth by offering scholarships and funding opportunities for deserving Omani students. It will also invest in income-generating projects designed to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the foundation.
In addition, a portion of each donation will contribute to the waqf funds and maintenance of host mosques, while mosque administrators and the foundation will have access to real-time digital dashboards and analytics for efficient management.
“We have installed more than 100 donation machines at major mosques in the capital area to generate funds to support Omani nationals who are unable to pursue their studies,” Al Hadidi added.
Although Oman maintains a strong primary school enrolment rate exceeding 98 per cent and relatively low dropout rates in general education, challenges persist at the higher education level.
Estimates suggest that between 7,000 and 10,000 students drop out of colleges and universities annually. Many leave due to academic difficulties, while others opt to join the workforce, particularly in the security sector.
Data shows that 53.3 per cent of higher education dropouts occur in private institutions, while 46.7 per cent are from public institutions. The highest dropout rates are reported in engineering and technology (31.3 per cent) followed by administration and commerce (28.9 per cent). In contrast, Oman recorded a primary school completion rate of 94.47 per cent in 2023.
“Mithqal, the pioneering fintech-for-philanthropy project, represents a shift toward smarter and more transparent charitable ecosystems where technology helps build trust and expand donor engagement,” said Mazin bin Humaid al Mahruqi, Co-Founder of Mithqal.
He noted that factors such as academic disinterest, socio-economic pressures and limited institutional support continue to contribute to student dropouts, posing challenges for long-term human capital development.
Under Oman’s education framework, students without a higher secondary certificate face limited opportunities for higher education and employment.
Members of the public can support the initiative by donating amounts starting from 100 baisas or multiples of RO 1 through more than 100 smart kiosks located in major mosques across Muscat.
Additional donation points include over 120 POS machines placed in restaurants, hospitals and retail centres, as well as public booths in high-traffic locations such as Mall of Oman, Muscat Mall, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Waterfront and The Village.
The organisers hope the initiative will harness the generosity of Ramadhan to create educational opportunities and help young Omanis return to the path of learning.
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