During its meeting today (Tuesday), the Shura Council bureau reviewed the response from Her Excellency the Minister of Education regarding the inquiry about the vocational and technical education project. The response indicated that the ministry's implementation of vocational and technical education stems from the directives of His Majesty the Sultan—may Allah protect him—calling for the development of education at its various levels and types. This initiative aligns with the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and the School Education Law, which emphasizes the importance of providing students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to pursue specialized education and enter the labor market.

The meeting also addressed the response from His Excellency the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs concerning the inquiry about the Omani pilgrims' camp for the 1446 AH Hajj season. The response noted that the Ministry has held official meetings this year with specialists from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the current state of the Omani camp in Mina and Arafat and opportunities for its improvement. Efforts are underway to gradually enhance its infrastructure until the comprehensive strategic project, currently being developed by the Saudi authorities, is implemented.
Additionally, the Office reviewed the response from His Excellency the Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority regarding the inquiry about certain financial and administrative matters of companies affiliated with the Authority. The bureau also examined the response from His Excellency the Governor of North Al Batinah to the inquiry about building permits on lands distributed in wadi (valley). The response indicated that work is underway to halt the issuance of building permits on lands located in wadi and reefs. Furthermore, the General Directorate of Housing and Urban Planning in the governorate has been directed to stop allocating residential lands to citizens in these areas, in coordination with the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Water Resources.
During the meeting, esteemed members of the bureau considered several follow-up tools presented by Council members. These included reviewing a question directed to His Excellency the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning regarding violations by some engineering consultancy offices. They also examined an inquiry addressed to His Excellency the Chairman of the Environment Authority about protecting natural resources from pollution and depletion, and another to Her Excellency the Chairwoman of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority concerning support for small and medium enterprises to boost the tourism sector. Additionally, they looked into an inquiry directed to His Excellency the Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority regarding delays in services provided by Be'ah Company.
This took place during the eighth regular meeting of the bureau for the second annual session of the tenth term (2023-2027), chaired by His Excellency Khalid Hilal Al Ma'awali, Chairman of the Council, with the presence of esteemed bureau members and His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Council.