Three years ago on the occasion of the Kingdom’s centennial, I was asked by King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah to prepare a paper on the progress made in the field of education over the past 20 years.
I prepared a 70-page document, complete with facts, figures and statistics. Imagine my shock and amazement when I was told by the organizing committee that the paper was unacceptable.
The reason they gave was that it was too candid and straightforward and did not focus on positive achievements as required on such a joyous occasion. The committee asked me to tone down the language of the paper, and in fact I was told that for such an occasion I should use only highly complimentary words and phrases.
Reluctantly, I made some amendments to the paper, hoping to gain the committee’s approval. To my shock, the paper was returned and I was again asked to make changes. Three times I made changes, trying to make the language more general and three times the committee returned the paper to me. Finally, they refused to publish it, saying it was below the standard required for such occasions.
I felt sad not once but many times about what had happened. First, I was sad for agreeing to make changes and amendments that I never wanted to make. And when I made the changes, the work was still rejected. Second, I was sad because even the changes I made were not accepted by the committee and in the end it was a waste of time and energy. Third, I was sad that the committee had denied both the public and educators the opportunity to read the work and judge for themselves. I had hoped the work would add something to education in the country. Finally, I felt sad at the failure of our universities.
Universities have a role as pioneering institutions, educating and enlightening people and serving as independent forums which offer diverse points of view without interference; universities should be forums where the intellectual and cultural thought of the teaching staff is presented as it is without any attempt to politicize it.
At present, the second round of national dialogue is being held in the holy city of Makkah. To those in charge of the dialogue, I say that without transparency and clarity it will not succeed. Transparency must begin at the bottom, with the education system itself, since education is the basis of any real change. It is because of education that the groups spearheading a country’s development originate.
My advice to those in charge of the forum is not to confine themselves to listening to words of empty flattery. It should be made a condition for any speaker who wishes to be heard that they refrain from it.
Every step toward progress has its shortcomings and anything evaluated only by those participating in it necessarily loses the vital element of impartiality. Only impartiality will allow our shortcomings to be revealed.
