Private schools are facing a crisis due to the low number of students applying for the next academic year, said the head of the Syndicate of Private Schools Owners, Munther al-Surani on Saturday.

The current enrolment rate in private schools ranges from 20% to 50%, which means schools are in a very difficult situation, especially considering there is only one week left until schools reopen, al-Surani said during an interview with Roya’s Donya Ya Donya program.

The government should set a plan for private schools and make it clear whether students will be studying from home or from schools, al-Surani added.

However, Bashar Haddad, the coordinator of the Zawwadtuha campaign - which is calling for private schools to reduce their fees during the crisis - said the government has completely withdrawn from its responsibilities towards education.

ِA total of 46% of all schools in the Kingdom are private schools, which makes private schools very important, Haddad said.

The problem is that the Ministry of Education withdrew from its role in education and switched to distance learning, but people are still wondering 'are the distance education outcomes measured'?, and the answer is ‘no’, he added.

Al-Surani said distance learning in Jordan showed weak feedback.

He added that due to the coronavirus crisis, private schools are unable to convince students’ parents to register in their schools, noting that more than 100,000 students have moved from private schools to public schools.