MIDDLE EAST
Supporting learners and education systems to succeed in a changing Middle East
Education systems in the Middle East are working to improve school quality, prepare young people for an evolving world of work, and ensure learning continues in the face of displacement and disruption. With the help of strong partnerships in the region, our work supports education access, quality, and opportunity for all.
Responding to the region's evolving education priorities
The Middle East is home to ambitious education reforms and some of the world’s most complex humanitarian challenges. For decades, we have worked alongside governments, schools, non-governmental organisations, and local partners to expand educational opportunity in the Middle East.
Giving families and regulators confidence in school quality
Through our inspection, accreditation, and inspector training programmes, we help schools demonstrate quality, continuously improve, and build trust among parents and stakeholders.
Preparing young people for today's employment landscape
We support children affected by conflict and displacement to re-engage with education and recover lost learning, such as on the Accelerated Learning Programme in Gaza.
Enabling learning to continue in crisis-affected contexts
As economies diversify and technology reshapes the world of work, initiatives like Lifelong Learners equip young people from challenging backgrounds with skills essential for their future.
Our deep expertise across the Middle East
Experience across all education settings
We work across government schools, refugee settings, and crisis-affected regions, supported by global knowledge. This gives us extensive knowledge of what works in each context.
Programme design and development
We design our initiatives to be practical, scalable, and responsive to local circumstances, informed by continuous feedback from our partners.
Bilingual and trilingual experts
We have a strong team of regional and international colleagues who can communicate effectively within different language contexts, strengthening trust between our teams, our partners, and the communities we support.
We've partnered with
Where we work in the Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Working in locations including Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates to raise school standards.
Egypt
Supporting Ministry of Education supervisors to improve teaching practice.
Jordan
Building the capacity of teachers in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and equipping young people with skills for the future.
Lebanon
Supporting teacher development, young people’s career readiness, and refugee education.
Gaza
Restoring lost learning in a crisis-affected context for tens of thousands of children
Across the region
Raising educational standards in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
+60%
Sharjah private schools experienced a 60% increase in those rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ between 2018 and 2024 – from 8% to 68% – a success contributed to by EDT inspections
40,000
Refugee students supported through the Improving English Skills project in Jordan, which built the capacity of their teachers
Top 5
In 2025, Dubai private schools were ranked in the top five globally for science performance and top ten for mathematics – a testament to Dubai’s education sector and the impact of EDT inspections.
"I didn't just learn English, I became someone new."
Extract from student's learning journal, Lifelong Learners programme
The Lifelong Learners programme is equipping young people in Jordan with essential knowledge in digital technology, climate action, financial literacy, the job market, and looking after their own wellbeing. Students also develop their creativity, critical thinking skills, collaboration, and adaptability, while growing more confident communicating in English. Below are some extracts from student’s learning journals on the programme, which show the level of impact the initiative has had on their confidence.
Our programmes
Supporting message here if required.
Latest insights and research
All of our work is driven and informed by evidence. We invest in research, generate deep insights, and apply evidence to shape better decisions in policy and practice, drive impact, and improve outcomes globally. We combine our respected research with real-world experience and extensive programme and impact evaluations to share insights on what works and to contribute to the dialogue on improving education and skills provision worldwide.