RIYADH, 12 May 2005 — Fourth and fifth grade English classes in government schools have been postponed due to a lack of qualified teachers, a Ministry of Education spokesman said yesterday.

The move comes after ministry officials found that results of recently implemented sixth grade classes were disappointing.

“The ministry intended to start teaching English in fifth grade next year and fourth grade the year after,” the spokesman said.

“English will neither be part of fourth grade nor fifth grade curricula in the next two years. English as a required subject in sixth grade will continue,” he added.

The postponement will continue until the ministry resolves the shortage of qualified teachers.

Sixth grade English classes were started this year in accordance with the decree issued by the Council of Ministers.

The curriculum was designed by Saudi specialists and academics. It is suitable for sixth graders with little previous experience with the language.

“However, some changes might occur in the curriculum to avoid some flaws that appeared after the startup this year,” he said.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Ahaidab, director of the English language project at the Ministry of Education, confirmed to Arab News last year that the ministry was evaluating an experimental sixth-grade English class, sending several experts to collect feedback and opinions from teachers, students and administrators at government schools.

The spokesman said data is being gathered to determine the number of graduating university English majors and the number of elementary teachers the education system will require to implement a comprehensive English program nationwide.

With Saudi English teachers in short supply, the ministry was forced to contract foreign teachers. Many of the qualified Saudis who applied for teaching positions decided to take other jobs in the private sector.

“When the semester began, some teachers did not show up,” the spokesman said. “The ministry checked with the applicants and discovered that they were no longer interested. Therefore, some schools began a couple of weeks late in teaching English subject until the ministry found replacements.”

A similar situation arose two years ago when computer classes were introduced, and there was a shortage of teachers and equipment. It was changed to an extracurricular activity and remains so.

The spokesman noted the ministry cannot contravene the decision by the Council of Ministers to require a bachelor’s degree from accredited schools and private school experience for employment.

The spokesman also said that the Ministry of Civil Services has not provided an adequate budget for the program, further complicating the situation.