Empowering Education in Jordan, game development for 1,548 learners
A national programme that used game development to teach analytical and creative thinking and technology literacy, in the parts of Jordan with the least access to technology. It focused on BTEC public schools, whose labs and curriculum were ready for it. Dimensions Games Studio delivered it through 2025, funded by Endless Access, with the Ministry of Education and the Crown Prince Foundation. I managed it, from planning and partnerships to delivery and the final report.
Where the year ended up
From the programme's final report, January 2026.
| Planned | Actual | |
|---|---|---|
| Learners | 1,500 | 1,548 |
| Governorates | 2 | 10 |
| Instructors | 6 | 16 |
| Cohorts | 51 | 50 |
The 51st cohort didn't run because the learner target was reached early, so the time went to the cohorts already running.
Two phases
Phase one, January to May
Prove the model locally. 11 cohorts in Amman, Madaba and Balqa reached 311 learners against 210 planned. Cohorts had an 82% project creation rate, and learners' technology literacy improved by 49%.
Phase two, June to December
Take it national. Once the model held up, the programme spread from 3 governorates to 10 and finished the year at 1,548 learners.
Plan
Start where access is lowest and schools are ready: public schools on the BTEC vocational track.
Partner
A local institution in each place coordinates on site and keeps track of learners.
Teach
Instructor-led, project-based sessions, with a workstation for every learner.
Evaluate
Every cohort ends with live pitches of the learners' games and prototypes.
Where it ran
| Region | Governorates | Cohorts |
|---|---|---|
| Central | Amman, Balqa, Zarqa, Madaba | 39 |
| North | Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash, Ajloun | 7 |
| South | Karak, Aqaba | 2 |
| Online | Including a cohort for DAFI, a programme for Syrian refugees | 2 |
The two governorates we didn't reach, Tafilah and Ma'an, weren't a budget or a demand problem: we had no committed local partner there. Partnerships decide where a programme can run.
From learners to instructors
Learners became instructors
7 top learners were trained into paid instructor roles and led cohorts of their own in the second half of the year, taking the team from 6 instructors to 16. The first cohort led by graduates, at Applied Science University, was also the biggest in-person cohort: 61 learners.
Learners became interns
8 graduates joined Dimensions Games Studio as interns, working alongside its developers.
A kickoff that brought the sector in
The launch gathered 10+ educational institutions, 6 government bodies, 9 games companies and 5 community groups, with 12 learner projects on show.
A national conference
The year ended with Play & Innovate 2025 at the University of Jordan: 110 competing teams and a 48-hour game jam.
Who made it possible
Funder
Endless Access, which also worked hands-on with the team on planning, delivery and evaluation.
Strategic partners
The Ministry of Education, which opened the public schools and the BTEC track, and the Crown Prince Foundation.
Delivery partners
Nahnou, which ran 4 cohorts with 232 learners, the University of Jordan, JOSA, HTU, the Prince Basma Center in Karak, Ibdaa' Foundation and the Jubilee Institute.
Universities
JUST, PSUT, the Hashemite University, Al al-Bayt University, Applied Science University, Al-Balqa Applied University and the National University College of Technology hosted cohorts for their own students.
From the year
Figures and photos are from the programme's final report, January 2026.