AMMAN — The Association of Banks in Jordan on Monday held a press conference to announce the results of the first year of its initiative to support the education and health sectors.

 

Launched in March 2025 by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, the three-year initiative allocates JD90 million, or JD30 million annually, to fund development projects in education and healthcare, in collaboration with 18 banks operating in the Kingdom.

 

Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah said the initiative represents an “unprecedented national effort” in terms of private sector participation in education development.

 

He said the first phase includes 19 schools across 10 governorates, most of which have been completed or are nearing completion, with 17 already delivered and accommodating more than 12,000 students.

 

Mahafzah said the schools include around 350 classrooms and have contributed to reducing reliance on rented school buildings, with 14 rented schools phased out as part of the transition.

 

He said the projects directly help address overcrowding in public schools and improve learning environments, particularly in densely populated areas and regions that previously relied on rented facilities or double-shift systems.

 

“The schools were selected based on actual need and population density,” he said, adding that the new buildings introduce modern construction methods that improve educational quality and efficiency.

 

Mahafzah added that the broader programme includes the construction of 100 schools, with phased implementation expected to expand capacity to around 33,000 students upon completion of all stages.

 

“Around JD25 million had been disbursed by the end of April, with total costs for the first group of schools estimated at approximately JD34.6 million” he said.

 

The second phase, scheduled for 2026–2027, will include 22 additional schools. The new facilities comply with Ministry of Education standards and include accessibility features for students with disabilities.

 

Chairman of the Association of Banks Khalil Salem said the initiative reflects a “clear vision” to strengthen key development sectors, describing it as an “advanced model of partnership” between the banking sector and the government.

 

He said the programme translates institutional commitment into “tangible achievements on the ground,” noting that it is built on governance, transparency and alignment with national development priorities.

 

Salem added that during the first year, which focused on education, work began on 19 schools distributed across 10 governorates, contributing to improved infrastructure, better geographical distribution of services and accommodation of rising student numbers.

 

He said the initiative also supports economic activity through associated construction works and lays the foundation for expanding into the healthcare sector in the next phase.

 

Director General of the Association of Banks Maher Mahrouq said the initiative was designed in line with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision, stressing that it was built on structured planning, coordination with government entities and clear governance frameworks.

 

He said implementation has been monitored through regular technical and financial reporting, ensuring alignment with execution timelines and development priorities.

 

Mahrouq added that the programme represents a shift towards institutionalised corporate social responsibility based on measurable outcomes and long-term planning.

 

The Association of Banks said the initiative is expected to expand into the healthcare sector in its next phase, building on what it described as a “successful national model” of cooperation between the public and private sectors.