The history of modern education in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is similar to that of any other developing region. After the end of the colonial era, formal education was not as widely accessible in the MENA region, the new states after gaining independence focused on investing in public education systems, which facilitated new governments to construct their nations, ensure ruling legitimacy, and gain public support. In this process, ancient Islamic education models that focused on madrasa and the mosque were also gradually replaced.
The Arab world has some of the highest population growth in the world, which becomes a major hurdle in providing basic education. However, education governance in the region, with few exceptions, now dispense basic education to most children. Primary education is compulsory throughout the region, with secondary education being compulsory in some countries.
Educational outcomes have enhanced in the middle east over the years with primary enrolment rapidly increasing from 61% in 1965 to 98% in 1990, with notable progress in oil-exporting nations. The economic growth, as well as oil money, allowed the Arab nations in expanding their basic education.
In this article, we are going to list the top 5 countries in the middle east that provide top-quality education to their population.
1) UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) currently leads the Middle east region with 627 English-medium international schools and about 600,000 students, with 17 schools being established in just the 2018/2019 year alone. Dubai contains the highest concentration of international schools at 194, majority of which offer UK curriculum. According to data, UAE also has one of the highest web searches for Assignment help services with students hiring cheap assignment help to guide them in their course assignments.
In 2015, a mutually agreed model for inspection was approved for private schools in the UAE in an effort to raise quality as part of the UAE Vision 2021, which aims in developing world-class education. According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which is assesses the advancement and standards of private education in Dubai, the quality of education has significantly enhanced in the last decade.
Top Universities in UAE
Following are the best-ranked universities in UAE, according to international university rankings:
- UAE university
- Khalifa University
- University of Sharjah
- American University of Sharjah (AUS)
2) Qatar
Qatar has one of the top school systems in the middle east. Qatar’s progressive Education Ministry has estimated a curcial growth in international schools over the next decade. The country presently has 166 English-medium international schools, in which more than 134,000 students are enrolled.
Qatar’s Supreme Education Council’s (SEC) OSP program chooses the top schools from around the globe, teaching the highly regarded national and international curricula and facilitating them in constructing a school in Qatar. According to the program, Qatar’s schools include Arabic, Islamic studies in their curriculum and the program has been popular in setting up international school groups in Qatar such as SEK International School Qatar.
Top Universities in Qatar
Following are the best-ranked universities in Qatar, according to international university rankings:
- Qatar University
- Hamad Bin Khalifa University
- Texas A&M University at Qatar
3) Saudia Arabia
Even though the first Saudi high school was established in 1936 to train students for higher education abroad, significant advancement of the secondary school system did not start before the 1970s. At the commencement of the 1970s, only 15% of Saudi men were literate, while the literacy rate among women was even lower (2%), displaying the exclusion of women from non-religious education before the 1960s.
Today, young Saudi women partake in education mostly at the same rate as men and are considered among the most educated women in the Muslim world.
With the formation of six new universities between the 1960s and 1980s and after the establishment of King Saud University (KSU), the Saudi higher education system got diversified. Total enrollments increased from 6,900 in 1969 to 65,500 students in the early 1980s, with KSU enrolling 1/3rd of that number alone. Even with this impressive growth, the Saudi system took a long time in catering to the larger segments of its society which were after entering the 21st century. By 2000, the tertiary GER had increased from 9% (in 1985) to 22 %, before reaching a massive 68% in 2018, which is a ratio on par with that of Canada and France.
The amount of Higher educational institutions has grown spectacularly in recent decades. There are presently 29 public universities and 11 private universities in the country, along with hundreds of community colleges.
Top Universities in Saudia Arabia
Following are the best-ranked universities in Saudia Arabia, according to international university rankings:
- King Abdulaziz University
- Alfaisal University
- King Saud University
- King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
- KAUST
4) Israel
Israel provides a high-quality educational experience, with various universities featured in top rankings and numerous existing English-taught courses which foster an international learning environment. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Israel ranks as the third most educated country in the world.
Israel has amassed huge investments in its economy and high-tech development, transforming into one of Asia’s most aspiring start-up nations, with its very own version of Silicon Valley. This appealing business environment attracts international students from all over the globe and has led to the spectacular development of the country’s major cities.
Top Universities in Israel
Following are the best-ranked universities in Israel, according to international university rankings:
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Tel Aviv University
- Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
- Ben-Gurion University of The Negev
5) Jordan
Jordan over the last decade has expanded its role in orienting the country’s K-12 education system. UNESCO’s reports appreciate Jordan for exceeding other Arab nations in educational reforms. Jordan has now reached a 100% enrollement number of literate Jordanians.
Top Universities in Jordan
Following are the best-ranked universities in Jordan, according to international university rankings:
- University of Jordan
- Jordan University Of Science & Technology
- Al Balqa Applied University
- Hashemite University
