Private schools torment parents and teachers

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Author: ABDULLAH BAJUBAIR | AL-EQTISADIAH

Friday 8 July 2011

Private schools are not different from butcher shops these days slaughtering parents and teachers, while the government is trying in many ways to ease the high cost of living. These schools are killing simple, poor citizens.

The royal decree increased the minimum wages of male and female teachers in private schools to SR5,000 plus SR600 transportation allowance. Half of this is paid from the Human Resources Fund.
When parents were waiting for private schools to reduce some of the  cost in adherence to the royal decree, parents were surprised when fees increased. Some school owners forced teachers to sign contracts for salaries lower than the fixed minimum wage or face the sack.
There is nothing wrong in turning private education into a business, but there is a need to exercise some control. Education ultimately conveys a message contrary to the one we are receiving now.
The Ministry of Education says it has neither responsibility of nor control over the private education sector. Then who is responsible? Who ensures these schools are meeting their educational obligations properly?
If the Ministry of Education is not responsible for this mission, then who is? Is it the Ministry of Labor, or the Ministry of Health?
I am not calling for Saudizing the private education. I am calling for more regulations to ensure their decisions do not slaughter parents.
We want the authorities to clarify the issue rather than keep us in the dark.
When Barack Obama was elected the president of America, his first call was to improve the education system because he knew it was a means of progress. Are we going to board the “Progress Express” or just stay in the waiting lounge?

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