School Libraries in the Sultanate of Oman

Breaking Down Barriers

Abstract

Since 1970 many public schools, public and private colleges and universities, and some public libraries, have been built in Oman. In all these schools there is a semblance of a library. An educational reform began in 1995 with the building of 107 new schools that emphasise a child-centred approach to education and feature English in Grade 1, a fully equipped Learning Resource Centre, and strong curricula in science, maths, and computer studies. Deriving the maximum educational and investment benefis from the LRCs, however, depends on developing educationally sound school libraries with adequately trained staff, information skills curriculum, materials, site space, program, and staff development.