MUSCAT : In this context, the Ministry has paid special attention to school infrastructure, undertaking maintenance, renovations, and air conditioning replacements, while enhancing safety and security standards. A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess school readiness and their capacity to offer a safe, supportive, and attractive learning environment.

Khamis bin Mubarak Al Hadidi, Director General of the Directorate General Projects and Services, highlighted key achievements in construction, development, and furnishing. He confirmed that the Ministry has received 16 new school buildings across 9 educational directorates, all of which are ready to operate at the start of the academic year. Maintenance and restoration work was carried out in accordance with the latest technical and scientific standards, ensuring a safe and conducive school environment.

Additions and renovations

Al Hadidi added that the Ministry allocated RO 20 million for expansion projects in 80 schools. Additions have already been completed in 68 schools at a cost of RO 15 million, and 53 schools are scheduled to be operational this year. Additionally, RO 7 million was allocated for general restoration work, and RO4 million for refurnishing 77 science laboratories, following the furnishing of 118 labs in earlier phases.

The educational environment has been improved in 120 schools through the establishment of playgrounds, shaded areas, and expanded cooperative societies.

Air conditioning overhaul

Al Hadidi also addressed the Ministry’s large-scale air conditioning project. So far, 48,000 air conditioning units have been supplied and installed in two phases at a cost of RO 12 million. The third and fourth phases, currently underway, will involve installing an additional 48,000 units at a cost of RO 11 million. To date, more than 25,000 units, representing 52 percent of the total, have been installed.

School transportation

On the topic of school transportation, Al-Hadidi noted that dedicated committees across the educational directorates have been formed to review and ensure that all transportation methods meet stringent safety standards before contracts are renewed. The Ministry has renewed 20,828 transportation contracts and issued tenders for the rental of 800 new vehicles, requiring that they be manufactured no earlier than 2023 and equipped with automated tracking systems, internal and external monitoring cameras, and sensors to prevent incidents such as forgetting or running over students.

Support for students with disabilities

In support of students with disabilities, the Ministry coordinated with relevant authorities to allocate funding for hiring approximately 400 bus supervisors. These personnel will provide necessary assistance to students with disabilities beginning this academic year.

Developing school transportation services

The Ministry also launched a pilot project in cooperation with a private company to manage the school transport fleet in the Wilayat of Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate. The project includes 17 schools and 315 buses, benefiting more than 12,600 students. The Ministry plans to expand this initiative to cover all schools in the governorate.

Visual surveillance
Fahm bin Khalfan Al Shahimi, Head of the Security and Safety Department at the Ministry’s Security Office, announced that advanced visual surveillance systems, supported by artificial intelligence, are being installed in selected government schools. This initiative, funded by the Oman Oil Development Company and the Ministry’s Initiatives Support Committee, is valued at RO 200,150.

Al Shahimi emphasised that this project aims to bolster security across schools by monitoring entrances, courtyards, and critical areas with high-efficiency cameras. It represents a successful model of public-private partnership and supports the Ministry’s strategy to enhance the security infrastructure in educational institutions.

Specialised training programs

Regarding parallel programmes, he confirmed that the Ministry’s Security Office is implementing a package of training programs, including an emergency management program, daily school situations, and the ‘Tamkeen’ programme to train school guards, in addition to a security and safety program in educational facilities. Work is underway to distribute informational posters at the beginning of the new school year, explaining security and safety protocols and the procedures to be followed during emergencies.

Future vision

He concluded his remarks by emphasising that the Ministry is continuing to implement quality initiatives that contribute to preserving the safety of the school environment and enhancing community confidence in the education system. He explained that school security and safety are not merely procedures, but rather a fundamental pillar for providing a reassuring and disciplined educational environment that enables students and teachers to focus on the essence of the educational process.

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