The World Bank ranked Jordan and Kuwait as top educational
reformers in the Arab world, according to a report released by the
organization in Amman on Monday.
The report, titled "The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in
the Middle East and North Africa," said Jordan and Kuwait are "top
performers" in terms of access, efficiency and quality of
education.
Egypt, Iran, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories were ranked
average in the study, while Djibouti, Yemen, Iraq and Morocco were
the lowest.
"Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
have made significant progress in reforming educational systems,"
said the report, adding that "yet these achievements remain below
other countries at similar levels of economic development."
It added that the relationship between education and economic
growth in the MENA remained weak, and the divide between education
and unemployment has not been bridged.
According to the report, unemployment in the Arab world averages
about 14 percent, higher than that in other areas in the world
except the Sub-Saharan Africa.
Palestinian territories are the worst, with unemployment at 25.6
percent.
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2008)
