Jordan, UNESCO, and the Global Partnership for Education Launch USD 1

Jordan’s Ministry of Education (MoE), UNESCO and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) have launched a USD 1 million System Capacity Grant to accelerate digital education reform and support the transition from planning to implementation under Jordan’s Education Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The two-year programme, announced under the patronage of H.E. Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, will provide targeted technical assistance and institutional capacity development to strengthen education data systems, governance and financing, and to develop Jordan’s Digital Education Roadmap.

“Investing in our system capacity means investing in our ultimate mission. This grant bridges the gap between our current operational limitations and our highest strategic goals. True institutional progress requires more than just funding programs; it requires strengthening the systems that run them. The System Capacity Grant directly targets and fixes our underlying operational barriers, giving our workforce the tools and frameworks required to drive nationwide transformation,” said H.E. Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education.

Context and programme details

The USD 1 million contribution is the second phase of GPE’s System Capacity Grant to Jordan and raises GPE’s total support for system capacity in the country to USD 1.55 million, with UNESCO acting as Grant Agent. The first phase financed the development of Jordan’s Education Sector Analysis (ESA), the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2026–2030, and Jordan’s Partnership Compact. That compact, developed through an inclusive partnership dialogue led by the MoE, identified digital transformation as the priority reform area to improve learning, equity and system performance.

• Duration: two years.
• Main objectives: strengthen education data systems, governance, financing; develop a Digital Education Roadmap; update planning and coordination tools.
• Institutional role: UNESCO to provide technical assistance and support the ministry’s transition towards the new Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.
• Related programmes: the GPE System Capacity Grant builds on UNESCO’s System Strengthening Partnership (SSP) implemented through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund, supported by Canada, Italy, Norway and Switzerland.

Noha Bawazir, UNESCO’s Representative to Jordan, said: “UNESCO is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Global Partnership for Education in supporting Jordan's ambitious education reform agenda. The first financing phase established the foundation for Jordan's next generation of education reform as articulated in their new Education Strategic Plan 2026–2030, and Partnership Compact. This additional GPE financing enables us to move from planning to implementation and build on important achievements to accompany the Ministry in translating its vision into tangible improvement for learners, teachers, and education institutions across the Kingdom.”

Marco Mantovanelli, GPE’s Regional Director for Asia and Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East, framed the investment in systems rather than hardware: “Digital transformation is not about technology for its own sake — it is about making education systems stronger, more inclusive and better able to deliver for every child. GPE is proud to support Jordan as it turns an ambitious reform vision into practical change in classrooms across the Kingdom.”

Outlook

The grant is designed to move Jordan from strategy to execution, translating the priorities set out in the Education Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and the Partnership Compact into operational reforms. With UNESCO providing technical assistance as Grant Agent and GPE financing cumulative system-strengthening support to USD 1.55 million, stakeholders expect improvements in data-driven decision-making, coordination across the sector, and long-term financing mechanisms. Media enquiries for the programme were listed to Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications (tkummer@globalpartnership.org, Tel: +1 202 948 5395).