Based on personal observation, I have said that the Ministry of Education cares very little about people’s problems and how citizens may suffer because of the ministry’s decisions. Since the ministry evidently does not care about public opinion, I am forced to conclude that it suffers from arrogance. Not only does it ignore people’s problems and opinions but it also does not hesitate to provoke and confront the public.
This behavior and these attitudes on the part of the ministry cannot possibly serve the public interest. Neither are they compatible with the reasons this country was founded by King Abdul Aziz.
Our first king realized very well that the people should be consulted and their interests served.
One very obvious sign that the Ministry of Education cares little for public opinion is its insistence on a recent decision.
It stated that many first-year elementary students officially admitted to school must repeat the year because they had not reached the official age decided upon by bureaucrats for first-year students.
Many parents were very angry and upset; they pointed out that the students had been admitted and had completed the work successfully so there was no reason for them to repeat the year. Parents appealed to the courts and others asked the ministry to reconsider its decision. Not only did the ministry reject all complaints and appeals but it went further than was necessary. After making an unpopular and unfair decision, it repeatedly told the media that it made no difference if the child had passed or not; the year must be repeated. The Ministry of Education challenges parents with such decisions and behavior.
- Arab News Local Press 10 September 2003
