Remediation in College: Some Preliminary Considerations for Establishing Support Schemes for Omani At-Risk Students

Abstract

For approximately 20 years, the government of the Sultanate of Oman, under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos, has sought to lay the foundations for Oman’s transition to a knowledge society. Great improvements have been made in this direction, and the country has enjoyed continued development across almost every area of its social and economic life during this period. However, there is still work to be done, especially in the area of human capital and co-citizenship, with this being particularly true in relation to education. For instance, the fact that almost all students leaving secondary education need foundation programs reveals that they are not really “college ready.” They require remediation and support, especially in English, mathematics, and IT. This paper looks at some preliminary concepts and concerns which could be beneficial to Omani colleges seeking to set up support, or remedial, programs, and structures, before discussing the ways in which such programs can have a positive impact on students who may otherwise not complete their studies.