Ammon News - Minister of State for Public Sector Development Badriya Balbisi said the transformation of the Institute of Public Administration into the Jordan Academy for Government Administration constitutes a comprehensive institutional reform and a strategic restructuring of its mandate, in line with the requirements of a modern state.

In a telephone interview with Jordan radio on Monday, Balbisi said the transition ensures that government capacity-building efforts are aligned with the priorities of the second executive program of the Public Sector Modernization Roadmap (2026-2029).

She stressed that the Academy is not a newly established entity but the legal and operational successor to the Institute of Public Administration, with an expanded role focused on developing a modern, flexible, and sustainable framework for public sector training.

Balbisi said the Academy will introduce an integrated capacity-building system centered on enhancing competencies and skills in line with global trends, promoting self-directed and digital learning, broadening access to training opportunities, and institutionalizing continuous professional development pathways. The approach aims to strengthen leadership, administrative, technical, and behavioral competencies across the public sector.

She noted that the current training model reaches only around 20 percent of government employees annually, with an average participation rate of one course every two years, describing it as insufficient for achieving cumulative learning outcomes or aligning training with career progression and evolving government needs.

The minister said the new framework will shift from fragmented training programs to a comprehensive national capacity-building system linked to career paths and modernization priorities, positioning it as a key driver of institutional performance, efficiency, and workforce development.

Balbisi added that the establishment of the Academy followed a comprehensive performance review of the Institute, an impact assessment study, and extensive consultations with experts and stakeholders. She noted that the Academy’s regulatory framework was published in the Official Gazette last Thursday.

She said the Institute’s legacy and training expertise will be integrated into the Academy’s structure, including the appointment of the Institute’s director as Secretary-General of the Academy, reflecting a structured and deliberate transition.

Addressing governance reforms, Balbisi highlighted the Good Governance and Impact Assessment System for Legislation and Policies for 2025, which took effect last September. She described it as a methodology for assessing the economic, social, and environmental implications of legislation and public policies prior to enactment.

She said the system supports evidence-based policymaking, enhances legislative efficiency and effectiveness, and contributes to improving public services and the investment climate.

Balbisi added that the system incorporates citizen engagement through the "Tawasul" digital platform, which allows draft legislation to be published for public consultation and facilitates impact assessments prior to approval, thereby improving the quality and sustainability of legislative outputs.

She said public sector modernization efforts aim to enhance employee performance, strengthen digital literacy and self-learning capabilities, and ultimately improve service delivery, contributing to a more efficient and responsive public administration. Petra