Ministry of Education: Return to "Curricula" in 12 schools
Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabatabai has approved a new system for the secondary stage, to be implemented starting from the 2026/2027 academic year for tenth-grade students. This is the Tracks-Based Credit System, which will be rolled out in 12 schools designated by the Ministry. The decision states that the new system is optional for students wishing to enroll, while the current system will continue to operate. It will launch in 12 schools distributed across all educational districts, with one boys’ school and one girls’ school in each district, aiming to test it practically and evaluate its effectiveness and outcomes before gradual expansion.
The Tracks System spans three academic years, divided into six semesters, totaling 54 credit units. The tenth grade serves as a common foundational year for all students, comprising a set of general courses. The new system offers students eight educational tracks: Languages, Law, Social Sciences, Commercial, Mathematics, Sciences, Industrial, and Technology and Artificial Intelligence, providing diverse options that accommodate students’ varying abilities, interests, and future aspirations.
The Ministry emphasized that track selection will not rely solely on academic grades, but will be based on a comprehensive framework of criteria including academic achievement, aptitudes, interests, and results from exploration courses, thereby helping guide students toward fields that best align with their potential. The Tracks System combines common courses taken by all students with specialized courses linked to the chosen track, achieving a balance between acquiring fundamental knowledge and skills and developing specialized capabilities.
The Tracks framework includes several practical components, such as a flexible course, a graduation project, community service, and field training, totaling 120 hours, which enhance practical skills and connect education to reality, society, and the work environment. The system also allows students to utilize the summer semester and register for up to nine credit units, subject to approved regulations and available capacity. Additionally, it enables early graduation after five semesters for students who fulfill all prescribed academic requirements.
