Workers Flower in the Desert

Oman is investing heavily in education, with the number of schools expected to reach 1,000 by the year 2000 from just three schools in 1970. Ruler of Oman Sultan Qaboos believes Oman's best resource will become its educated population. Application for the Sultan Qaboos University is greatly over-subscribed, with women increasingly encouraged to pursue education and take up employment. Omani people educated abroad often return to Oman take up prominent positions. Sultan Qaboos is keen to generate a will to work among all the population, with people urged to take pride even in low-paid work.