US embassy cable - 02AMMAN3484

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003484 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA FRONT OFFICE, NEA/PD, NEA/ARN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2012 
TAGS: KPAO, PREL, SCUL, JO 
SUBJECT: MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE: SURVEY ON 
EDUCATION 
 
REF: SECSTATE 117997 
 
Classified By: DCM GREGORY BERRY PER 1.5 (B AND D) 
 
1.  (C)  In response to reftel, Embassy Amman supports the 
continuation and development of basic education reform 
projects in Jordan and attests to the GOJ's and Jordanian 
education sector's interest and receptivity to such programs. 
 The GOJ has demonstrated a high-level of receptivity to USG 
assistance in education reform in the past, including at the 
elmentary level.  In addition, recent directives from the 
Royal Palace to modernize and reform the education system in 
Jordan may indicate an even more inviting environment for USG 
assistance, especially in the fields of preschool and 
adolescent civics, English language, and information 
technology.  However, the delicate issue of national 
education, combined with current sensitivities in the region, 
means that the level of receptivity by the GOJ and education 
sector may require that USG partnership in education reform 
programs remain relatively low-profile. 
 
2.  (U)  PA Amman has coordinated programs in education 
reform in cooperation with the GOJ for many years, including 
at the elementary education level.  The Civic Education 
Workshop is one example of a program that trained 
approximately 100 middle-school teachers and supervisors in 
basic civics education.  In addition to the training 
workshop, the U.S. based Center for Civic Education worked 
with the Ministry of Education to translate civics textbooks 
into Arabic for use in extracurricular programs in Jordanian 
middle schools.  This program's initial success resulted in 
the inclusion of the textbooks and corresponding civics 
lessons in the Jordanian national curriculum starting this 
September.  The Ministry of Education has communicated to PA 
its interest in expanding this civic education initiative by 
further developing textbooks and a curriculum for high school 
and elementary age students. 
 
3.  (U)  The Ministry of Education also has expressed 
interest in seeking additional USG assistance for information 
technology materials and training for all education levels 
including basic education.  Project activities under the 
USAID-financed AMIR contract will help support such 
initiatives.  Encouraging more entreprenuerial skills is the 
purpose of a grant for a junior achievement type grant, 
INJAZ, and discussions currently are being held with a number 
of organizations interested in early-childhood, adolescent, 
and life-skills education, especially for girls in rural 
areas. 
 
4.  (C)   Past USG assistance programs in education reform 
have been successful in Jordan, and such programs continue to 
be in demand by the GOJ.  However, with sensitivities running 
high in the region, and with basic education an issue of 
national pride and ownership, we should reserve direct USG 
assistance in education reform to very targeted, low-profile 
programs.  High-profile USG assistance and perceived USG 
direction could create difficulty for the GOJ in gaining 
popular support for its overall education reform program. 
Gnehm