Jobless Arabic language teachers stage protest

By WALAA HAWARI | ARAB NEWS

RIYADH: Hundreds of Arabic language teachers gathered Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. in front of the Ministry of Education here demanding jobs. Some of the teachers have been without work for seven years.

Over 12,000 graduates from different universities of the Kingdom share the same distress. The ministry did not respond to the teachers' demands, which according to Tariq, a 2006 graduate, are simple: "We just want a job, a decent life, a life!"

Tariq and his colleagues, some of whom were taken to hospital due to heat exhaustion, claim they took this step after many previous efforts went in vain.

"We resorted to this method only after we had sent many messages, held meetings and visited officials in the ministry, but failed to get a response," said Tariq, adding that they even tried to get in touch with the minister but were told he is in Jeddah and his deputy is in charge.

"Even the deputy minister refused to meet with us or hear us claiming that he is busy and the ministry has schedules," said Tariq. "The only attention we receive is from the security guard at the ministry," he said.

Last month the Ministry of Civil Services said the slow process of appointing teachers was responsible for limited availability of jobs in this specialty.

"Eight years ago the minister of education announced largely in the media that Arabic teaching is a specialty that would be needed for the coming 10 years," said Tariq, stressing that despite this announcement hiring of teachers stopped completely.

Teachers took courses and acquired experiences through various temporary jobs to prepare themselves and be equipped for permanent ones.

“Further disappointment lay in store for us, as the Civil Services, three months ago, came up with a resolution saying that courses canceled out experience," said Tariq, explaining that if teachers took courses while they were in temporary jobs, the courses they took would not be considered. That meant that the applicant had to choose between a course or a temporary position.

"They wanted us to be unoccupied during the course, and vice versa, an unjustifiable hindrance in my opinion, as many take up these jobs to support themselves while waiting for the ministry's appointment," said Tariq.

"The shocking part is that of this year's 5,000 Arabic language graduates, 656 were appointed only, whereas 2,300 of Islamic Studies graduates found jobs," said Tariq, adding that both subjects have the same number of classes and hours.

Until a solution is found, Tariq and his colleagues will continue to petition the ministry. "If the ministry is not able to provide jobs for Arabic language teachers, why are the universities still accepting large numbers of applicants and where will they end up a few years from now?" asked Tariq.

Comments

MUAZZAM

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There are no facilities to learn the arabic language for the non-arab speaking population. If Arabic language institutes are opened or evening classes conducted at existing schools for non-arabs, they could solve the problems of atleast a couple of hundered teachers and benefit thousands of expats.

MOHAMMAD TAHIR

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In my suggession whoever is coming in Saudi Arabia for the job, he or she must be take Cerficate or Diploma Course in Arabic Language. And by setting the various Insititutions in the Kingdom these Jobless Teachers can be employed.The fees of the courses should taken by the person who is coming for the job and the employer fifty fifty percent. By doing this many benefits can be get to all parties. First many jobs can be created for the Arabic Teachers. Second by learning arabic communications will be very easy between expatriates and Saudies. In these Arabic Courses Saudi Culture and Tourism and values can be introducedd during the teaching courses..Mohammad Tahir

RASHID

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May they would have got jobs if they studied other subjects like english and maths along with arabic.

MUSTAFA OLAWUYI

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I sincerely pity the deplorable condition of jobless Arabic teachers in Saudi Arabia, the seat of Islam and the language of the glorious Quran. My appeal to Saudi authorities is: send the teachers to countries outside the Gulf, especially African countries where we have acute shortage of Arabic teachers. It will be a great service to the propagation of Islam and mutual relationship between the African continent and Arab world. Ramadan Karim.

WORKER BEE

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The never ending blame game of the Arabs who believe, wrongly, that the world owes them a living.

It is up to the student to research whether there are jobs in their chosen field and to keep tabs on the job market. Universities are in the business of cranking out students to make room for others so their doors can be kept open. They couldn’t care less if their students get jobs or not.

“Some of the teachers have been without work for seven years.”

Out of work 7 years???

Anyone who has been out of work for even one year might want to consider retraining.

Pathetic!
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