While in Belgium, Queen Rania Says Jordan’s Education Sector Strained by Syrian Refugee Crisis

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Brussels)  Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium and other officials in Brussels on Tuesday, to discuss mobilizing international support for Jordan’s education system.

Queen Rania also met with Belgium’s Prime Minister, Mr. Charles Michel, as well as the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Junker, to discuss ways to address the increasing strain on Jordan’s education sector as a result of the Syrian refugee crisis.

Her Majesty’s meetings focused on showcasing the struggles Jordanian citizens face in cities that are densely populated by Syrians.  She highlighted the impact the crisis has had on Jordan’s resources, infrastructure, and especially schools, which have enrolled 150,000 Syrian students.

This has affected the quality of education at schools that have been forced to run double shifts, with teachers under pressure to handle larger numbers of students in each class.

Her Majesty’s meetings are part of Jordan’s extensive efforts at all levels, ahead of the Syria’s Donor Conference in London on February 4 where, education will be a key theme.