THIS is not the first time that someone is discussing the poor quality of our education. However, it may be the first time that someone is pointing out the deficiencies in the study of Arabic in government schools.

As I grew up, I never paid much attention to the quality of our education. I did, however, notice some changes that the Ministry of Education made in the curriculum, especially when it came to the study of Arabic.

You may know that developing education is a priority in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. However, have Arabic studies been changed for the better? Science related subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology have improved in terms of substance and quality.

School curriculums have been criticized quite a lot. Arabic studies have been combined into one subject entitled “Lughati” (My Language). I believe that our language is never going to be immortal as long as these subjects are being taught in schools.

Unfortunately, combining all of the Arabic courses into one book has not helped improve the course. Topics have been reduced and even omitted. Take the handwriting course for example. This course does not exist anymore. The effects of this can be seen in the horrible and unclear writing of many students. The dictation course has been stopped as well as the writing course. Students are rarely asked to write anything, something that would enable them to express their views and opinions.

This would affect us in a negative way, as we would have a generation that is unable to express their ideas in a clear and organized way. What do we expect our future generation to become if they are unable to express themselves in writing or speech? 
Many people, including Arabic teachers themselves, have criticized these new courses. One teacher pointed out that his fourth grade students did not know the basics of Arabic thanks to the new course and that he gives them extra work to ensure they know the basics. He also feels that his students are not competent as they fail to properly read and have poor dictation skills. Another teacher feels that both grammar and reading lessons are insufficient—these are two important skills that would help a student write properly.

Suggestions are proposed to parents, teachers, college professors and the Ministry of Education. Parents should work together with teachers to encourage students to read more. They should be given extra workbooks, more texts to read and understand, and they should be asked to write their opinions and express themselves.

College professors need to focus their research on developing the curriculums in governmental schools, outline the negative aspects of the current educational system and participate in rewriting courses. The Ministry of Education could organize a competition for academics to rewrite school curriculums and award them financial prizes, and offer them national recognition and job promotions which would encourage them to work hard in developing the education standards for the future generation. The ministry could also conduct a comparative study to compare curriculums in other countries that excel in education.

Fatima Al-Twerki