A pilot project, called the "Educational Electronic Portal", was recently introduced by the Ministry of Education. This project represents a quantum leap in the use of modern technology in education.  The portal is an electronic communication system which provides a speedy transmission for the exchange of information, ideas, experiences and views on various aspects of the educational process.  It contains a database which will assist educational sector employees in their decision-making and in the implementation of their plans, programmes and projects. We believe that the portal will help to improve the efficiency of educational planning and allow the ministry to evaluate the results of its development programmes more quickly.  The enterprise involves the development of a comprehensive system which is compatible with, and complements, the ministry’s vision for deep-rooted educational reform in the Sultanate.

This project is not only a significant step for the educational sector, but has also direct relevance to the Sultanate’s "National Strategy” for a digital society.  Among the priorities of this strategy is the creation of an electronic infrastructure which will enable a digital Oman to better implement its national projects through the simplification of its administrative procedures, raising levels of performance, the speedy completion of transactions and enhancing cooperation and networking between government institutions.  

The Educational Electronic Portal will provide the ministry’s administrative sectors with access to the latest data and allow them to update their work via the electronic network.  It will also provide an electronic communication service on educational developments and information for all interested sectors of society.  In addition, it will provide attractive interactive teaching tools and, using advanced and innovative techniques, will support improvements in evaluation and assessment, teaching methodologies and curricular development and, in so doing, assisting in the creation of a quality education system.  The portal’s electronic teaching programmes will train teachers on how to develop self-learning skills among their students and will enable interested members of the public to extend their educational opportunities through distance learning and virtual classrooms.

All teachers and educators have a responsibility to develop their skills in modern technologies. This has become an indispensable requirement in all professions which seek to keep pace in today’s rapidly changing world.  When appropriately exploited and utilised, modern technologies offer the potential to make our business and communications easier and more proficient.  The Educational Electronic Portal project has intended to encompass this by introducing innovative and attractive methodologies to enrich the educational process for the benefit of our students, teachers, parents and administrators.
 
Yahya bin Saud  Al Sulaimi
Minister of  Education