Muscat, July 2
The Ministry of Education recently introduced new admission requirements for teacher education programmes under Ministerial Decision No 155/2026, with the regulations applying to students enrolling in the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
The decision forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen teacher preparation programmes and align admission standards with the quality requirements of the education sector, while safeguarding the rights of currently enrolled students.
Under the new regulations, applicants seeking admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognised higher education institution, whether in Oman or abroad, provided that overseas qualifications have been officially recognised.
Applicants are also required to have completed their undergraduate studies through full-time attendance and achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 out of 4.0, or its equivalent under other grading systems.
The regulations further require applicants to have completed a minimum number of credit hours in their specialisation, including 60 credit hours for humanities and individual skills disciplines and 45 credit hours for applied disciplines. Candidates may also be required to pass subject-specific assessments, interviews or other admission procedures determined by the institution, in addition to meeting medical fitness requirements for the teaching profession.
The decision also outlines admission standards for undergraduate teacher education programmes, requiring applicants to meet the prescribed General Education Diploma scores and subject-specific entry requirements. Students planning to pursue teacher education studies outside Oman must enrol in institutions recognised by the Ministry of Education.
Abdulla al Maqbali, a parent of a diploma student, said the clarification had eased concerns about possible changes to graduation requirements. “Our main concern was whether the new regulations would affect students already studying in the programme. The ministry’s clarification has reassured families that their academic pathway remains unchanged”, the parent said.
Another parent described the announcement as an important step in maintaining fairness. “Specifying the implementation date provides certainty for both current and future students. Everyone now knows which regulations apply to them”, she said.
Education specialists believe the revised admission criteria will contribute to improving the quality of teacher preparation programmes and ensure that candidates entering the profession possess stronger academic foundations.
Mohammed al Alawi, an academic specialist in education policy, said the decision reflects a balanced approach to reform.
“Raising admission standards is an important step towards improving the quality of future teachers. At the same time, protecting the rights of students already enrolled demonstrates respect for academic stability and legal certainty”, he said.
A curriculum specialist added that strengthening admission requirements should be accompanied by continued investment in professional training and practical classroom experience.
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