Night scene on an urban street with young women walking on the sidewalk in Oman.

Education System

Education System

Written by: Luca Krohn , Philip Eichkorn and Michaela Eckmüller Last updated at: May 21, 2025

When Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said seized power in 1970, the education system in the country was outdated and in no way future-oriented. There were only three boys' primary schools in the largest cities of the country, alongside the exclusively religiously motivated Quran school. At that time, only about 900 students were taught by 30 teachers. Given the population of approximately 700,000, the number of students at that time was very small.

From the beginning of his reign, Sultan Qaboos had the plan to lead his people into an era of prosperity and progress. His success in this can be attributed, on one hand, to the oil and gas reserves in the country and, on the other hand, to the development of a functioning and successful education system, which is partially based on the British education system.

How does the Omani education system work?

Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said was educated in England. This is why the school system in Oman is partially modeled after that in England. Thus, students first attend primary school, then middle school, and finally high school. With a high school diploma, one has the opportunity to enroll in a degree program at a higher education institution such as the state university.

The development of the school system is being effectively promoted

The importance of the development of the education system to the government in Oman is evident from the fact that high costs are incurred to make education accessible to everyone in the country. Over 1,530 public and private schools in the country, employing around 50,000 teachers, enable about 700,000 students to achieve a good educational level. Education in Oman is not dependent on income or background. School attendance is free in Oman. About a quarter of civil state expenditures goes into education. It is also notable that about 50% of the students are girls and young women – a rate that corresponds to the population proportions in the country.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

A lush green valley with a flowing river surrounded by rocky hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.

Wadi Tiwi

1 min read

When you explore Oman from the coastal roads you will continually encounter a typical natural attraction of the country. So-called wadis stretch along the coastal strip. Wadis are dry riverbeds that flow into the sea. These valleys are home to a unique flora and fauna and resemble dreamy oases. Wadi Tiwi is located just 3 km from the town of the same name. Wadi Tiwi is densely vegetated and its mountain formations contrast fascinatingly with the vegetation. Over a distance of about 10 kilometers, you can explore this palm-rich wadi from above and enjoy a great view of its shape. Several small ...

An oryx antelope standing among tall grass and sand dunes in a desert landscape.

Oryxantelope

2 min read

The Arabian oryx belongs to the subfamily of horse antelopes and is a distinct genus. Its natural habitat is traditionally found in semi-arid and arid landscapes, such as the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, Oman is also part of its natural habitat. In places where the sun shines year-round and it often exceeds 30 degrees even in winter, the Arabian oryx is native. Characteristic of both sexes are its very light, almost white coat and its spiral, slightly curved horns. The shoulder or body height is about 80-100 cm, while the horn length usually measures 50-70 cm. Another feature is the dark brown an...

Sunset over a calm body of water in the Musandam region with mountains in the background and dramatic clouds in the sky.

Travel Weather Musandam

1 min read

The climate of the northernmost region of Oman is characterized as subtropical. While the winters (December to February) are very mild with daytime temperatures around 25°C, summer months can see temperatures rise up to 43°C. The maritime weather usually keeps nighttime temperatures from dropping below 17°C. On average, there is only precipitation on 38 days a year. In Musandam there is constant wind due to its exposed location. The best travel time for Musandam starts in early October and ends in April....