The education systems in many Western countries ban the teaching of religion in public schools, from pre-school to the secondary level. This is not the case for schools run by churches, synagogues and mosques.

Here in Saudi Arabia, foreign schools are subjected to the country’s laws, which ban teaching Christianity and Judaism while allowing the teaching of Islam to students whose parents wish them to study it.

The religious curricula taught at our foreign schools are not confined to one school of thought. They are general teachings that focus mainly on educating students on the basics of the religion in a modern and civilized manner.

All the subjects taught at these schools fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. Thus any suspicions, fears and concerns that foreign schools in the Kingdom serve as missionary institutions that could corrupt the nation and spoil its youth are not only baseless and unjustified but are totally unacceptable.

It is very easy to establish the fallacy of such suspicions and fears. This is because we recognize that the Western rational approach is the best and the most capable of responding to developments in a rapidly changing world.

Our students must benefit from these schools, which happen to be based in our country and work under the supervision of the relevant authorities.

We should allow Saudi students to enroll in these schools and benefit from the courses they offer and the teaching techniques they apply.

Parents should have the freedom to decide which school their children should study in and what kind of education they receive. Foreign schools operating in the Kingdom apply strict admission rules including special tests.

They do all this without being shackled by the bureaucratic constraints found elsewhere. The primary concern for these schools remains the development of the mental ability of their students, who are encouraged to develop their talents.

This is a plea addressed to the authorities to seriously consider allowing Saudis to register in these foreign schools. Such a move would benefit the education system and help produce generations capable of taking their country into the future.

Arab News From the Local Press 12 July 2003