Dhofar Education Projects Exceed RO 19 Million as Oman Expands School Capacity

Dr. Mizoon Bakhit Al Shahri, Director General of the Directorate General of Education in Dhofar Governorate, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the Directorate is implementing and following up on a comprehensive package of projects across several wilayats as part of the Ministry of Education’s efforts to develop educational infrastructure, improve school readiness and create a better learning environment.

She said the total value of the projects stands at approximately RO 19.224 million, covering new construction, development, additions, restoration, maintenance and improvements to the educational environment.

Integrated school buildings account for the largest share, with a total cost of about RO 13.161 million. The projects include the construction of modern schools with expanded capacity in several wilayats to serve areas experiencing increased demand and student growth. The projects are currently at different stages, including implementation, issuance of work orders and budget procedures.

Regarding expansion of existing schools, Al Shahri said the Directorate is following up on 16 school addition projects with a total value exceeding RO 3.229 million.

The projects include additional classrooms, halls for male and female teachers, laboratories and service facilities, as well as sports fields and related modification and maintenance works. Some of the projects have already been completed and handed over, while work continues on others according to their implementation schedules.

She noted that the number of educational staff in Dhofar’s public schools during the 2026/2027 academic year stands at 6,715 teachers, including 2,320 male and 4,395 female teachers.

The governorate has 70,686 students, comprising 34,904 male and 35,782 female students, distributed across 243 schools. These include 50 boys’ schools, 22 girls’ schools and 97 co-educational public schools, in addition to 74 other educational institutions.

Al Shahri said procedures related to appointments, transfers and the distribution of newly appointed teachers had been completed based on actual staffing requirements.

An induction programme for newly appointed teachers was also implemented, benefiting more than 1,200 teachers. The Directorate has also completed the distribution of school staffing structures and is monitoring the readiness of 21 schools selected for external review by the Oman Authority for Educational Quality Assurance through integrated support and follow-up plans.

Regarding the travel and tourism specialisation within the vocational and technical education pathway, Al Shahri said the programme is being expanded this academic year through the addition of a new cohort of 100 students, with 50 students enrolled at Al Saidiya School for Boys in Salalah and 50 at Khawla bint Hakeem School for Girls.

She explained that the 2026/2027 academic year marks a new stage in the programme’s development in Dhofar, with its implementation now covering both Grades 11 and 12, after being limited to Grade 11 during its first year.

The expansion reflects the continuation of the programme and the gradual increase in the number of students benefiting from it.

Al Shahri stressed the Directorate’s continued follow-up of educational construction and development projects and programmes, alongside ongoing assessment of the needs of the education sector to ensure that available resources are directed in accordance with educational priorities across Dhofar Governorate.