An event unremarkable in 99% of the world is news in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, male instructors will be teaching Saudi women face-to-face. Until now, male instructors had to either teach through closed circuit TV, through piped-in sound, or some other machination to prevent them from being in the physical presence of female students. Now, though, with so much government emphasis being given to employment issues, the barriers are being eroded, as Arab News reports. Perhaps, too, some attention is being paid to the fact that ‘separate but equal’ is at least twice as expensive as integrated classes.
TVTC allows male instructors in women training institutes
ARAB NEWSRIYADH: The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) has, for the first time, allowed male instructors to teach in women’s training centers.
Male trainees should have a separate place if a training program were combined, business daily Al-Eqtisadiah reported Tuesday quoting official sources.
The sources said all services to men, including handing over certificates, will take place at the training site and not the women’s training center.
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UPDATE: : It seems that some readers found this post confusing. So let me clarify…
In some private universities, male instructors have been permitted to address female students directly. This has not been common practice in state sponsored schools. Private educational institutions, on all levels, have some latitude to make their own rules; state schools stick to unitary curricula, pedagogic methods, and all social norms that seem to carry the force of law.
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February:15:2012 - 09:16
Effat and Dar Hekma colleges already have male instructors in all-female classes. Effat has had men in the classroom for a few years now.
February:15:2012 - 10:30
@Corey: Thanks for pointing that out.
February:16:2012 - 05:49
Now that Corey has pointed this out to you, are you going to fix your blog post now?
February:16:2012 - 17:43
Yes, as soon as I get To a computer
February:17:2012 - 00:27
A lot needs a fixing in Saudi…AND still too many UNNECESSARY Barriers
INHUMANE barriers!
February:17:2012 - 00:53
SOS SYRIA! Time to erode the barrier
Please Help the people of Syria. Help them find PEACE!
Pray for the citizens of the WORLD…
February:17:2012 - 15:09
I believe it is the first time in terms of vocational training. Hekmah and Effat are the leading edge of these things- Vocational has not been very gender friendly in the past. I was actually surprised to see this. Pleasantly so. I think the vocational stuff comes under a different ministry- I can’t remember right now.
February:17:2012 - 15:11
Hmmm…I couldn’t edit my post. Yes this is the first time in “training centers”. Different thing than education.