Oman education: 83% parents happy with private schools, shows NCSI survey

Muscat: In a survey on the quality of education in private schools in the Sultanate the satisfaction index of parents was 83 per cent, according to the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI). The satisfaction index showed a score of 83 per cent in terms of assessment mechanisms and engagement with parents while the financial costs of education scored 75 per cent.
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The curriculum at private schools logged a satisfaction rate of 94 per cent, followed by safety of children at 93 per cent. Focus on moral and religious values and traditions, as well as support for children with special needs received a score of 91 per cent.
Among the lowest scores are the school buses and transport service, and the food offered at the school café, with both scoring just 79 per cent. The satisfaction rate with regard to sports and games courts stood at 80 per cent. The progress report of students indicated a score of 88 per cent in terms of ease of comprehension, accurate assessment of students’ academic capabilities, and keenness of authorities to communicate the status to parents.
Organising seminars, events and other activities related to the curriculum and the extent to which parents are involved in such functions scored a satisfaction index of 71 per cent while school authorities’ initiative in encouraging parents to join school boards and accepting parents’ views and suggestions scored 80 per cent.
The level of satisfaction with respect to the costs of field trips and various activities stood at 85 per cent while cost of school uniforms got a score of 84 per cent. Tuition fee showed a score of 59 per cent while transportation charges scored 61 per cent.
The results of the poll showed that 3 out of every 5 parents preferred private schools to government schools because of better quality of education and curriculum. Quality of language training came second at 22 per cent while proximity of residence to school was the reason for 18 per cent of parents to choose private schools.
Three out of every five Omani students in private schools use school bus to go to school while 38% use private transportation (family/neighbour’s vehicles). A small percentage (2 per cent) go by foot or use a bicycle. Taxi service is used by 1 per cent.
The average distance between the student’s house and school is about 7.2 km, and 10 per cent of schools are located less than a kilometre away from their homes. The average annual cost of education per student in special education schools is OMR20,00 for secondary stage (post-primary) and OMR1,200 for in kindergarten and basic education, but the costs vary significantly depending on the school and nature of education.
As many as 29 per cent of the parents surveyed stressed on improving teachers’ competence, followed by a quarter of parents emphasising the importance of upgrading curriculum, so as to meet global standards and job market requirements.