Since reforms launched in the 1970s, Oman’s education system has flourished. Today, nearly all school-age children are enrolled in school, and education remains critical to the national development strategy. The country’s youth literacy rate increased to a perfect 100% by 2022, up from almost 99% just a few years earlier. With young people (under 29) representing almost 60% of the population, Oman’s Vision 2040 prioritizes youth development, scientific research, and innovation.
System Structure, Enrollment, and Access
The education system in Oman consists of six years of primary education, followed by middle and secondary schooling. Public education is universally free through secondary levels, which has provided broad access to resources across the country. Recent enrollment figures highlight this progress: in 2023, primary gross enrollment stood at 95.6%, while secondary enrollment rose to 96.7%, among the highest in the Gulf region. At the tertiary level, enrollment has also soared, with around half of young adults (~45.6%) pursuing higher education, exceeding the global average. These numbers demonstrate the success of Omani policies in moving from a system once hindered by educational barriers to one characterized by widespread participation.
While overall enrollment and literacy are impressive, issues still exist, particularly regarding quality and equity. In 2016, approximately 19.4% of primary pupils attended private institutions, which suggests growing private sector involvement. However, uniformity in curriculum and assessment may limit innovation. Furthermore, UNESCO’s 2019 Sustainable Development Goals education evaluation scored Oman’s lower secondary completion at 99.7% and youth literacy at 98.7%, but flagged that primary enrollment stood at just 94.1% and the overall education quality score was 94.8/100, indicating areas of improvement.
Higher Education Growth and Institutional Expansion
Oman’s university sector has broadened considerably. Established in 2021 through the merger of multiple colleges, The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) now spans nine governorates and enrolls over 46,000 students. Additionally, private higher education has progressed: Sohar University, opened in 2001, currently teaches over 7,100 students. Alongside the historical Sultan Qaboos University, these institutions show off Oman’s expanding tertiary landscape.
Oman continues to heavily invest in education. As of 2022, education spending comprised about 4.2% of GDP and 14.2% of total government expenditure, reflecting strong prioritization of learning across levels. The country is also bolstering teacher training, expanding technical-vocational pathways, and accelerating digital and science education. These reforms seek to align Oman’s education system more closely with labor market demands and ensure equitable access.
Oman serves as a positive case study in the region, with surging enrollment at secondary and tertiary levels and solid infrastructure in higher education. However, to shift from access to achievement, the country must keep strengthening early-grade outcomes and offering inclusive learning opportunities across diverse geographies and demographics. With Vision 2040 as its guide, and ongoing investment in innovation, Oman is ready to build an education system that empowers its majority-young population to excel in the future.
– Jeff Zhou
Photo: Flickr
