Qatar's thrust on quality education was reflected in the country's huge allocation of $6.04bn for the sector in 2012, a report shows. Qatar spends about 4.1% of GDP on education, which is the "highest in the region".
An unprecedented surge in public expenditure on education reforms throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will continue in 2013, as spending takes a bigger share of government spending, the report said. According to the latest data from the World Bank, public expenditure on education in the region stands at 18.6% of total government spending compared to the world average of 14.2%.
Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain has increased its commitment to education through the National Project to Develop Education and Training and a focus on E-learning is a cornerstone of the Schools Improvements Project (SIP).
In Kuwait, the Ministry of Education is focusing development efforts on reforming teaching methods and the national curriculum; and is likewise promoting the effective use of information and communications technology in the classroom.
Massive budget increases are boosting education reforms in Oman, thanks to an $800mn budget increase for education last year.
In Saudi Arabia, the government appropriated $40bn to education and training in 2011. Investment in human capital has become a top priority for the Saudi Government, as spending on education has more than tripled since 2000. The budget includes plans to build 610 new schools in addition to the 3,200 already under construction.
Gulf Times
27 January
