Samar Fatany, writing in Arab News, remarks that educational reform in Saudi Arabia is taking place, but the pace is too slow. She suggests two factors that might help speed things along: the creation of elected school boards and the formation of parent-teacher associations (PTAs).

Both of these are good ideas, but need to be implemented carefully. School boards are not without their dangers. US (and UK) experience has shown that a group of motivated individuals can take over the organization to promote specific agendas contrary to state-wide intentions or national consensus on various issues. Whether it’s to promote the teaching of particular religious views—forbidden by the US Constitution for state-run schools—or banning books from school libraries—not always forbidden by the Constitution, but usually so—there need to be constraints. PTAs tend to be less troublesome in this regard, but can be their own headaches for education administrators. Both, however, can provide useful service and guidance to schools and certainly get local communities involved in the question of education.

The article makes an interesting point in passing as Fatany comments how she was criticized by a Saudi for talking about Saudi ‘problems’ in front of foreigners. There is a dominant strain in Saudi society, shared by many Arabs of various nationalities, that you don’t talk about embarrassing things in front of strangers. The concept is quite well known in the West, as well, under the rubric ‘airing dirty linen in public’. It is a problem and it’s one to be found in almost any bureaucracy. But Fatany is right when she replies that hiding the inconvenient truths damages credibility and respect. At a minimum, it makes it appear to outsiders that Saudis are oblivious to glaring problems in need of urgent solution.

Answers for successful school reform
Samar Fatany | samarfatany@hotmail.com

An American delegation recently visited Saudi Arabia in an attempt to foster better relations between our two countries. At a dinner hosted by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I had the opportunity to exchange views with one official, and we discussed some of the problems that could be easily fixed if we followed a system that would produce better results as in the US or other advanced countries of the world.

A Saudi colleague took offense to my remark and did not think it was appropriate to talk about our shortcomings in front of strangers. According to her, we should hail and praise our government and only talk about our great achievements. I had a hard time explaining to her that we would be doing our country a greater service were we to admit our failures and strive to come up with better solutions for the pressing problems of our time. We would have more credibility and command more respect if we were able to identify our problems and learn to be more humble in our approach when we seek expert advice. Perhaps then we would be able to confront our challenges and succeed in implementing serious reforms.

There is no society free from problems. Even in the US — the superpower of the world — government officials often are criticized, and they are always engaged in debating ways to address the challenges that impede progress and development.

One of the greater challenges in need of a new reform strategy is the poor standard of education in our public schools. Although the Ministry of Education is trying hard to implement reforms the progress is very slow, and our children continue to be deprived of quality education. More should be done in order to provide our children the opportunity to be better qualified and more equipped to compete with other graduates in a fast developing world.
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