Education

The Challenge

Few regions invest more in the education of their young than the Middle East. Over the past two decades the region has expanded educational attainment and achieved almost universal enrollment rates. Yet, in most countries, improved education levels have not led to greater economic opportunities as the quality of education remains low. Early education is largely failing to provide youth under 15 years of age with critical life skills during their formative years. Adding to this disadvantage, secondary and tertiary educated is geared towards providing youth with diplomas rather than skills in order to secure public sector employment. However, with public sector employment no longer a viable option for most of the growing cohort of youth, today's graduates need to achieve a greater range of skills not provided by the traditional educational system.

The Opportunity

The Middle East education systems need to adapt to the challenges posed by a youth bulge and the needs of a global knowledge economy. To raise the quality of education, and investment in the right skills, future reforms must improve the incentives for better performance of those providing education services (e.g. teachers) as well as give students and parents a greater voice to influence education policies. The growth of private sector calls for greater business engagement in the provision of education as a way of strengthening links between the education sector and the labor market. 

A Fact

In the period 1965-2003, Middle Eastern governments spent an average of 5 percent of GDP on education, whereas most East Asian and Latin American countries spent closer to 3 percent.

Personal Journey

Born in Rabat, Waddah a 29 year old Moroccan studied telecommunication engineering at the National Institute for Technology. However, Waddah relates, “During my years at the University I found that I was constantly stressed. Stress is how teachers measure the success of your education, if the student is stressed then the teachers are satisfied.”  Read more.

Country Spotlight

Because of its population boom in the early 80s followed by one of the fastest drops in fertility rates over a period of two decades, Iran has the shortest demographic window of opportunity in the region but one with the potential to yield the greatest dividend. Significant increases in school enrollment rates over the last two decades have gained the country considerable growth in educational attainment rates. Read more.