Sports in government girls’ schools

Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi The statement made by the Minister of Education on the issue of introducing sports in girls’ schools has triggered some reactions. Okaz newspaper recently carried the statement in which the minister emphasized that the introduction of sports in girls’ schools is not among the ministry’s priorities at least for the time being. The minister’s statement came in response to a report titled “Officially, sports for women in girls’ schools”, which is being circulated on social media websites. The minister said: “We are engaged in dealing with issues having much more significance and there has been nothing presented to me related to what was proposed in this regard several years ago." The newspaper also published the statement of Mubarak Al-Osaimi, spokesman of the ministry, in which he clarified that the report being circulated in social media, claiming that the ministry has issued an order with regard to allowing sports in girls’ schools, is nothing other than a newspaper article that sheds light on the evolution of educational advancement in the Kingdom. He stated that this article is based on a circular issued three years ago with regard to introducing health fitness courses in private schools. Reacting to the minister’s statement to the effect that sports is not among the priorities of the ministry, many people posted their comments expressing surprise and astonishment. They noted that sports strengthen one’s physical health, stimulate one’s memory, contribute to enhancing concentration and ability for reflection, and are instrumental in creating a joyous mood that helps to prevent some mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. They pointed out that it is quite strange that these benefits do not seem to find a place in the ministry’s priorities. How is it possible to acquire sound education in the absence of something that enhances pupils’ concentration, thinking ability and joy, and helps to protect them from depression and anxiety? How can we agree with the statement of the minister that sports in girls’ schools is not one of the ministry’s priorities? The ministry spokesman’s statement seems to be part of an attempt to belittle the issue. His statement pointed out that what is implemented in private schools is not relevant for government schools. It must be noted that the so-called circular cannot be ignored as something which is merely part of a newspaper article. In fact, it was a circular issued by the concerned authorities and the article made reference to it. The Minister of Education is the author of a book published several years ago. The book’s title is “Educational reform in Saudi Arabia in light of the lack of political vision, apprehension of religious culture and ineffective educational administration.” Even though I have not read this book, I have read several articles written about it. The most prominent among them was that of the former Minister of Labor the late Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi. I still remember the headline of the article, which was “Ban this dangerous book.” The article began by explaining the implication of the title by quoting the famous proverb that says “Forbidden fruit is sweet.” Then, he proceeded to praise the book and its author and then praise the bright ideas contained in it. The then Minister of Education Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah called for holding more than one workshop to discuss the ideas discussed in the book. I do not think that the book downplays the significance of introducing sports in girls’ schools as it is well known that the goal of education is to create a "sound mind in a sound body".  Okaz newspaper carried a statement from the former Deputy Minister of Education Norah Al-Faiz in the same issue in which the minister’s statement appeared. In the statement, she emphasized the need for teachers to introduce health education.  Earlier, Al-Faiz said in a press statement that the ministry has plans to introduce sports in girls's schools after the construction of special halls for this purpose. She also announced that a number of private colleges and schools had introduced physical education as a basic part of their daily school activities.    It was crystal clear from the statement of the former deputy minister that the introduction of sports in girls’ schools was among the priorities of the ministry and that the main obstacle was the lack of special sports halls in addition to the shortage of qualified psychical education teachers. What has prompted the ministry to back down on its commitment to give priority to introducing sports in girls’ schools at a time when it is the need of the hour? When will this matter become one of the ministry’s priorities? When is the ministry going to heed the warning of doctors that obesity is a major health risk for women in the Kingdom and is the main cause of many diseases? Physicians emphasize the need for practicing sports from childhood, especially in view of the fact that there are no Shariah rules that prevent sports in girls’ schools. Several years ago, the ministry issued a directive allowing private colleges and schools to practice sports. What prevents the ministry from introducing sports in government girls' schools after it has permitted the same in private schools?      — Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]