The 2030 global education agenda sets a progression path for all countries. About ten years before this deadline, this paper explores potential trajectories for Arab countries to achieve significant advances in education. The article examines major challenges related to access and quality of education. While most countries made major progress on quantitative dimensions of education (enrollment, years of schooling), important challenges remain such as limited learning outcomes, persistent illiteracy, inequalities and poor governance of education. This paper proposes new ways to rethink education in this region. The tension between credentials(prioritized by students, family and the state) and skills (needed by society and the job market)is one of the most relevant issue in reforming education in the region.