Education & Health

The creation of a public education system capable of equipping Omanis for a modern economy has been at the centre of government policy for decades, and the private sector has thrived since the 1970s. Yet, more recently, the sector has seen a similar expansion of investment at the tertiary level, combined with an increasing amount of research activity. This new phase of expansion is underpinned by the latest five-year plan, which outlines a 48% increase over the previous plan in terms of sector spending, for the development of some 15 new schools, 32 expansion projects and 65 extensions to meet the growth of student numbers by 2015. Private schools, meanwhile, have continued to benefit from the presence of an expatriate community, which grew 32% between 2003 and 2010, and is expected to continue increasing. In health, meanwhile, growing investment in the sector has resulted in improving health indicators, and the government is working to encourage the public to participate in health care provision. This chapter includes an interview with Rawya Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of Higher Education.