MUSCAT, SEPT 21
Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education (EQA) on Monday began conducting external review visits for the first semester of the 2026-2027 academic year, covering 71 government and private schools across Al Dhahirah, Al Batinah North, Al Buraimi and Dhofar governorates.
The visits form part of the Authority’s external review programme, which seeks to assess school performance, identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, and provide indicators and data to support efforts to enhance school performance and the quality of education.
Dr Jokha bint Abdullah al Shukaili, Chairperson of the Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education, said the launch of the external review visits marks an important stage in the Authority’s efforts to strengthen the quality of school education.
She noted that the reviews are based on clear standards and frameworks and are designed to provide an objective and comprehensive assessment of school performance, supporting schools in their efforts to improve and develop.
“The external review process is not limited to assessing performance levels. It also aims to support schools in identifying development priorities and strengthening effective educational and administrative practices,” she said.
Dr Al Shukaili added that the process is intended to contribute to improving the learning environment and the quality of educational outcomes, in line with Oman’s national development priorities.
Dr Thuraya bint Saif al Hosni, Director-General of the Centre for School Education Quality Assurance, said external review visits represent an important tool for strengthening school performance and quality.
She explained that the field visits enable review teams to directly assess practices adopted by schools, analyse different aspects of performance and identify areas requiring further development and improvement.
“The findings of the external reviews will provide schools and relevant authorities with indicators and data that can be used in preparing development plans,” she said, adding that the findings would also support quality and innovation practices and contribute to improving the learning environment and student learning outcomes.
Dr Al Hosni noted that the Authority is coordinating with relevant departments within the Ministry of Education to ensure that the education sector benefits from the findings of the external reviews and translates them into development plans aimed at improving the learning environment and raising student learning outcomes.
Dr Mohammed bin Yahya al Abri, Director of the External Review Operations Support Department, said the Authority had completed preparations for the field visits to the targeted schools during the first semester.
He explained that the reviews would be carried out according to defined standards and procedures to ensure a systematic and objective assessment.
“The external review teams will collect and analyse evidence and assess educational and administrative practices within the schools,” he said.
The process is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of school performance, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and support ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education in Oman.
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