World Bank approves $3.5 million for digital transformation of Jordan’s public schools
The World Bank has approved a $3.5 million grant to prepare a project for the digital transformation of public education in Jordan.
The project will include a comprehensive assessment of school's readiness in terms of connectivity and digital infrastructure, as well as determining the technical specifications and costs required for nationwide expansion.
According to the grant agreement documents, the funding is intended to prepare for additional financing for digital transformation under the 'Jordan Pathways: Education, Skills and Administrative Reform' program, which was launched with $400 million in World Bank financing.
The new activities include piloting educational devices, assessing their costs and the feasibility of a national device program, as well as exploring opportunities for local device assembly.
The assessment will cover all public schools in Jordan, estimated at around 3,500 schools, to determine the state of information and communications technology infrastructure, including electricity, internal wiring, device storage and charging facilities, and internet connectivity. It will also identify gaps against digital-learning readiness standards.
The project will also test different internet capacities, Wi-Fi networks, access points, and simultaneous device use in a representative sample of schools of varying sizes, with the aim of developing technical specifications and cost estimates. In parallel, connectivity and device solutions will be piloted in urban, semi-urban, and rural schools before any nationwide rollout.
The documents reveal plans to pilot Chromebooks or equivalent devices in a selected group of schools to assess the feasibility of a national device program. This will cover procurement, distribution, asset management, classroom integration, durability, maintenance requirements, and teacher support needs.
The grant will also support preparations for an EdTech and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, in partnership with Jordanian universities and the private sector. The center would focus on developing AI-supported educational content, professional development for teachers, and research into digital education.
The preparations also include developing Arabic-language digital content aligned with the national curriculum and supported by AI, building partnerships with universities, technology companies and content developers, and establishing a digital education framework covering AI governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and learner protection.
At the implementation level, a Project Implementation Unit will be established within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, with capabilities in program management, procurement, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and educational technology. The project will also build the capacities of officials from the ministries of Education, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Finance.
The documents clarify that the $3.5 million is allocated for the preparation phase, rather than for implementing the full digital transformation across all 3,500 schools. The grant also does not constitute a commitment by the World Bank to finance the subsequent project currently being prepared.
The World Bank has approved a $3.5 million grant to prepare a project for the digital transformation of public education in Jordan.
The project will include a comprehensive assessment of school's readiness in terms of connectivity and digital infrastructure, as well as determining the technical specifications and costs required for nationwide expansion.
According to the grant agreement documents, the funding is intended to prepare for additional financing for digital transformation under the 'Jordan Pathways: Education, Skills and Administrative Reform' program, which was launched with $400 million in World Bank financing.
The new activities include piloting educational devices, assessing their costs and the feasibility of a national device program, as well as exploring opportunities for local device assembly.
The assessment will cover all public schools in Jordan, estimated at around 3,500 schools, to determine the state of information and communications technology infrastructure, including electricity, internal wiring, device storage and charging facilities, and internet connectivity. It will also identify gaps against digital-learning readiness standards.
The project will also test different internet capacities, Wi-Fi networks, access points, and simultaneous device use in a representative sample of schools of varying sizes, with the aim of developing technical specifications and cost estimates. In parallel, connectivity and device solutions will be piloted in urban, semi-urban, and rural schools before any nationwide rollout.
The documents reveal plans to pilot Chromebooks or equivalent devices in a selected group of schools to assess the feasibility of a national device program. This will cover procurement, distribution, asset management, classroom integration, durability, maintenance requirements, and teacher support needs.
The grant will also support preparations for an EdTech and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, in partnership with Jordanian universities and the private sector. The center would focus on developing AI-supported educational content, professional development for teachers, and research into digital education.
The preparations also include developing Arabic-language digital content aligned with the national curriculum and supported by AI, building partnerships with universities, technology companies and content developers, and establishing a digital education framework covering AI governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and learner protection.
At the implementation level, a Project Implementation Unit will be established within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, with capabilities in program management, procurement, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and educational technology. The project will also build the capacities of officials from the ministries of Education, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Finance.
The documents clarify that the $3.5 million is allocated for the preparation phase, rather than for implementing the full digital transformation across all 3,500 schools. The grant also does not constitute a commitment by the World Bank to finance the subsequent project currently being prepared.
The World Bank has approved a $3.5 million grant to prepare a project for the digital transformation of public education in Jordan.
The project will include a comprehensive assessment of school's readiness in terms of connectivity and digital infrastructure, as well as determining the technical specifications and costs required for nationwide expansion.
According to the grant agreement documents, the funding is intended to prepare for additional financing for digital transformation under the 'Jordan Pathways: Education, Skills and Administrative Reform' program, which was launched with $400 million in World Bank financing.
The new activities include piloting educational devices, assessing their costs and the feasibility of a national device program, as well as exploring opportunities for local device assembly.
The assessment will cover all public schools in Jordan, estimated at around 3,500 schools, to determine the state of information and communications technology infrastructure, including electricity, internal wiring, device storage and charging facilities, and internet connectivity. It will also identify gaps against digital-learning readiness standards.
The project will also test different internet capacities, Wi-Fi networks, access points, and simultaneous device use in a representative sample of schools of varying sizes, with the aim of developing technical specifications and cost estimates. In parallel, connectivity and device solutions will be piloted in urban, semi-urban, and rural schools before any nationwide rollout.
The documents reveal plans to pilot Chromebooks or equivalent devices in a selected group of schools to assess the feasibility of a national device program. This will cover procurement, distribution, asset management, classroom integration, durability, maintenance requirements, and teacher support needs.
The grant will also support preparations for an EdTech and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, in partnership with Jordanian universities and the private sector. The center would focus on developing AI-supported educational content, professional development for teachers, and research into digital education.
The preparations also include developing Arabic-language digital content aligned with the national curriculum and supported by AI, building partnerships with universities, technology companies and content developers, and establishing a digital education framework covering AI governance, data privacy, cybersecurity, and learner protection.
At the implementation level, a Project Implementation Unit will be established within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, with capabilities in program management, procurement, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and educational technology. The project will also build the capacities of officials from the ministries of Education, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Finance.
The documents clarify that the $3.5 million is allocated for the preparation phase, rather than for implementing the full digital transformation across all 3,500 schools. The grant also does not constitute a commitment by the World Bank to finance the subsequent project currently being prepared.
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World Bank approves $3.5 million for digital transformation of Jordan’s public schools
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