News & Event

As part of the Ministry of Education’s preparations to participate in the International Study for the Measurement of Reading Skills (PIRLS2026), the International Studies Department of the Department of Statistical Studies and Data is implementing the pilot application targeting (25) government schools in six governorates, namely: (Muscat, South Al Batinah, North Al Batinah, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Sharqiyah, and Al Dakhiliyah).

The study, which is organized every five years with the participation of more than (50) countries, aims to evaluate the abilities of fourth-grade students in reading skills in their mother tongue, and compare their performance with their peers in other countries, in addition to identifying the factors influencing students’ performance and their strengths and weaknesses, through four questionnaires: the student questionnaire, the school questionnaire, the teacher questionnaire, and the early learning questionnaire (parent); which contributes to enhancing students’ abilities and competencies in understanding the text.

Dr. Safaa Al-Hinai, Assistant Director of Statistical Studies and Data Department, indicated that the pilot application includes a reading comprehension test for fourth-grade students. It includes literary and informational texts and various questions to measure reading comprehension skills. It is being implemented electronically for the first time since the Sultanate of Oman participated in this study. The aim is to keep pace with the digital transformation the Ministry seeks to achieve comprehensively in the education sector to improve the quality of the educational process and enhance efficiency and innovation.

She added that this is the Sultanate of Oman's fourth participation since its launch in 2001, and that the Ministry of Education seeks through it to develop the educational process, including curricula, teaching methods, and teaching technologies, and to enhance students' reading skills in line with international standards.