American President Barack Obama gave a compelling speech to the students of America as they began their new school term. He shared with these students on the need to be good students and how their contributions from when they were students would make a difference in the future outcome of the United States. He acknowledged some of the problems and pressures that American students can face and related some of his own experiences to illustrate his understanding. He further noted the responsibilities of parents, teachers and the government in helping with education. However the main emphasis I believe he sought to convey to the students was their need to take responsibility for their education and in turn for making a positive difference and contribution to their country.
This speech has me thinking about the Saudi education system. Overall I think the Saudi education system is good in providing the tools and resources to its students. In the Saudi system, every child has the right of an education and not only a primary or secondary education but the right to a University education too and at the expense of the Saudi government. Saudi students who are considering a bachelor, master or doctorate degree have the choices of seeking such higher education from within Saudi Arabia or from outside of Saudi Arabia. The students are awarded scholarships for their education from the Saudi government which provides for all the students needs such as tuition, ability to acquire necessary books, living expenses if required and a regular monthly stipend. Saudi students outside of the Kingdom also receive medical benefits. As I remarked earlier, I think this is a good system for building an educated body but I have some other speculations too.
Because these education benefits are considered as ‘due rights’ of a Saudi student, how many of the students really appreciate this gift the Saudi government provides to them? How many of these students take advantage of the education opportunity to obtain another “check mark” in making one more marriageable or as the opportunity to live outside the Kingdom? How many of the students look upon this gift from the Saudi government as something which they should in turn give back? How much pride is there among Saudi students to study hard for the future of their country and the opportunity to make a difference?
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Most of us study and earn a degree(s), basically to make a decent living (to make lots of money)…What’s the motivation for Saudis? they already have it all!
Excellent points. Like everything else, it’s never certain of what they will do with their education. When sending students abroad from KSA, there need to be checks and balances and follow-through on how well they’re doing.
@Um Zayna – I like to look at it as the Saudi students are certainly provided a road map which can lead to a better living and opportunity but it is up to them as to whether they follow it…
While there are some aspects of the Saudi education system that I do not agree with, I do say ‘hats off’ to the Saudi government for its higher education opportunities. Anyone who has had to put a child through University or for many, who put themselves through University, would love to be able to have such educational opportunities in their own countries.
A fair number of *Saudi* wives of Saudis whom I know outside of Saudi Arabia usually choose to take various electives and classes, sometimes at Ivy League schools while they are out of the Kingdom because the opportunities are made available. (this is separate to the students who have been awarded scholarships from the government)
As a graduate from KFUPM, I for one am greatful for
my government providing me with the chance to earn
a free education, and by doing so, allowed me to
become only the second ever to graduate from KFUPM
in the foot steps of my beloved father. Mind you, it
was a struggle not because of its infamous reputation,
but because of my slacking off early on in my endeavor
to graduate. And I applaud the government for giving
the choice for those who wish to be educated either
within or outside the Kingdom, I know for certain I
would’ve been in a very tight bind had KFUPM not
been in existence, then I would’ve had to study
abroad, and that is something I wouldnt’ve relished
back then and dont now should I seek a Masters
degree. It depends on which part of society you
hail from, but a University degree is no longer a
a cultural milestone and something that makes a man
more worthy of marriage, for some it never was, its
enough the man works, is a soldier, civil servant or
basically has a job. For others it is not only a sign of
accomplishment and ambition, but a sign of one
maturing to a stage where one is full of reason,
good judgement, and therefore, fit for marriage.
I certainly hope my compatriots out there who have
benefitted or are currently beneftting from our
Government’s generosity do dig deep and succeed
so that they may put something back in the near
future.
excellent topic carol.
@ umm, I disagree with you 100%. You should look up in the society. you will find the majority of these students are poor and they have no works at all. go to Saudi villages and see the decent living there? go to many Saudi houses and see the decent living there? I am sure you will change your mind. The problem is that many Saudis think that even if they have high degrees and etc, everything will work by wasta. Also, the outcomes of the Saudi educational curriculum is very bad. the problem is in the Saudi students’ negative perceptions of how things work in the Saudi which make them “(amotivated)” Look up sister.
Great topic. I made an observation when I was living in the Gulf states that the Saudis, in general, are quite driven and I really do not think that they dismiss the opportunity to study at a university level. As some previous post, Saudis have got to go through a lot of avenues if they want to study abroad, some even get denied. ( At least thats what I heard- with the US immigration)
I am happy to heat that they get benefits while studying. While iam not sure what the requirements are for the US, I know that I had to provide my host country with proof of health insurance, financial bank statements and round trip ticket. If the Saudi government already helps their citizens, I think that it should be easier for the US to help them get their student visas. ( But then again, Iam not sure of the paper needed or if there is still Saudi being denied to study in teh US)
As far as studying in Saudi there are some good univisersities, including the the new one which just opened in Jeddah. I hope there is some recruiting right now as well as some incentive to study homebound.
I am pleased that KAUST outside of Jeddah has opened its doors for business. Right now the majority of the students are non-Saudis but let’s hope that for newer generations the composition of KAUST will shift with more Saudi students getting the benefits of KAUST.
@Medina – I agree that WASTA continues to be a predominant way in which the many Saudi graduates come by their positions. I wonder if more students would seek out internships and summer jobs prior to their graduation and start building up practical experience, that would give them additional edges towards establishing a future career.
Just a thought…but I think it would be great if Saudis who graduated several years ago and now happily working volunteer to speak at local schools to juniors, seniors in high school stressing the importance of education and opportunity and how they, the youth, have roles to play in the future of the Kingdom.
For example, it is very typical for diplomats to speak to upcoming foreign service graduates to motivate and prepare them for their future diplomatic career…
Salaams Carol:
My friend and her family were living in KSA for years. They had to return to the USA because they couldn’t afford school for their children.
I think the free education is only for KSA citizens.
There is a check and balance system.
You lag behind in your studies and the university will drop you faster than a sack of bricks. They can’t afford to hold your hand with so many new applicants graduating from high school every year.
@Saffiyah,
Yes; this is for Saudi citizens. You raise a separate but valid point…the expense of putting a non-Saudi citizen in a school in KSA.
Ya the expense of putting a non Saudi citizen in a school in KSA and the standard of education here,disapointed.We don’t even get atleast 50% of what we pay for.
Great topic indeed for whoever is interested in life in Saudi.
Could the issue here be also a centralized system molded on a socialist welfare State too?
I find in France for example, the socialist welfare State way to overbearing and overly protective. It kills any sense of individuality and responsibility. It leads to a Nation of people who take things for granted and do not appreciate what is offered at great cost.
Whereas in the US where learning and education is a privilege and people have to work hard, you find many successful people who pulled themselves up by the boot straps. And they still find a way to give back to the community that made it so hard on them to succeed. Why is that?
Also, who says education is a right at birth; on what ground?
bdg.
Of course this topic doesn’t elicit as much discussion as more controversial more sensational ones like say….. polygamy maybe? or boys behaving badly?
But one oh-so-essential though! Where are the talking heads of other posts?
@bruno – they are busy debating
See this is kind of like the indian system where the parents pay for higher education – not very expensive and kids do nothing but go to college and a bare minimum graduation is reqd for any kind of job. This provided quite a few lazy unmotivated students, then the economy was opened and the bpo’s/programming shops/labs and medical tech’s came in and now after 20 yrs i see a sea change, it’s like a diff world. students hold part time jobs, some in their own field getting valuable experience. maybe the charm is the money but they also get exp on the side. I see a much more energized , active andintelligent population with no time to get in trouble. It’s still quite a conservative country o the whole The govt doesn’t pay for education after 12th grade but there are oppurchunities and they keep the fee structure in certain colleges low to facilitate the lower income kids. I think it’s working, some may disagree. but i see the youngsters more open and this is what is required.
Hopefully there will bemore oppurchunities opening in KSA and more parents pushing their kids to take an active interest int heir future. i somehow am not for the govt making everything free. There are no free lunches, they come at a cost, in KSA it could be control.
The Chicago Sun Times chose to carry this post:
http://www.post-trib.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=B6kcqoGH9Pf8Bzn7nRZ5sNNoCz8xXm7v3D9w1BERWQKHNF9PU
@ mohamad s:
Not really. Or maybe it depends on your advisor, whether or not he’s actually doing his job and following up with the students he’s been assigned. I know of several Saudi students that I’ve either worked with at my university or have heard about from others whose gpas are below even a 1.0! And have been for several semesters! I honestly think the requirements need to be much stricter to even be allowed to study abroad. I think KSA needs to really think about how these students are representing their country. Being high or drunk all the time, hardly showing up for classes, failing everything or cheating (and getting caught) isn’t really the best representation. There are many Saudis who are excellent students, but I think the govt needs to do a better job of making sure the deserving ones are sent. But then again, the whole system of giving favors based on tribe/connections/money would have to be revamped in order to do so.