Education in Oman During the 20th Century and Its Impact on Social Transformations

Education plays a crucial role in developing awareness and the social transformations of contemporary societies. In Oman, while traditional education — represented by the kuttabs and Quranic schools — has been prevalent for centuries, the emergence of nation-wide, state-sponsored education did not occur until the late-20th century. This was due to the political isolation and tough economic conditions the country experienced during that time under the reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur (1932–1970). Therefore, in the first half of the twentieth century, modern education began with modest efforts, most notably the initiatives of the American mission in Oman and some limited government schools located in the capital city of Muscat. Additionally, the commercial port city of Muttrah witnessed the emergence of private schools, which were established by the Luwatiyya tribe, known for their commercial activity and high level of learning — especially among those who studied in India.

Nonetheless, these early forms of education contributed to the social transformation of Omani society, despite the country’s relative poverty during much of the century. These efforts also helped lay the groundwork for the radical changes that occurred after 1970, most notably improving living standards among the educated and they empowered marginalized groups, including women. This paper examines the educational programs of the American Mission in Oman, the government schools, such as the Saidiya School in Muscat established in 1940, and private education in Muttrah. In doing so, it reveals that Oman’s beleaguered circumstances in this period did not necessarily preclude the people in Oman from taking the available opportunities to pursue education to better their lives and improve their communities. They were working to transform society with the modest tools at their disposal before the discovery of oil and the creation of national education.