UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science implemented a range of activities on development of secondary education (international, regional and national), in order to increase its effectiveness in the preparation of the individual (students) for a better life and society needs.
The activities focused on diversification of secondary education programmes, streams, and specializations, to achieve national socio-economic development, and cope with both the Education for All (EFA) Plans of Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The scope of activities included:
- The International Conference on Secondary Education Development for a Better Life (Muscat, 22-24 December 2002); and
- The Regional Seminar on Secondary Education /Post-Basic Education-Grade 11, 12 (Muscat, 24-26 April 2005).
Based on the recommendations of the international conference and regional/national seminars, the Ministry of Education in Oman prepared a comprehensive plan for the development of secondary education (post-basic education). The new programme will start in grade 12 during the school year 2008/2009.
To continue this effort, as well as to enhance regional and international cooperation on reform of secondary education, with linkages to both EFA plans of action and MDGs, the current Expert Meeting will review achievements and plans in this area, according to UNESCO work plan on education for 2008-2009. The Expert's Meeting will focus on sharing of experiences, review of achievements, and evaluation of experiences and models of secondary education reform at the national, regional and international levels. Links to socio-economic development will be part of the discussions on the themes/sub-themes of the Expert Meeting.
The objectives of the Regional Expert Meeting on Reform of Secondary Education in the Arab region are:
1. Follow-up on major achievements of secondary education (post-basic education) in the region, in relation to new initiatives and projects;
2. Exchange of regional and international experiences on reform of secondary education (post-basic education);
3. Launching of the regional project on R&D policies to enhance secondary education (post-basic education) in the Arab region; and
4. Development of reference website/portal for secondary education (post-basic education) studies and research in the region.