Education requires a comprehensive review and some serious planning. It must meet the needs of individuals and of society and allow us to take part in what is called global development. Our schools must openly interact with society in order to meet the needs of individuals on one hand and the social and economic needs of society on the other.

Both government and private schools should:

• Offer general educational opportunities for everyone;

• Modernize the general education system;

• Introduce computer studies at all levels;

• Improve school textbooks, contents and editing;

• Introduce new educational and teaching methods;

• Introduce tolerance in schools;

• Develop students’ capacities and skills in cultural, social, artistic and scientific ways;

• Introduce “open discussion groups” in which students discuss world political and social problems. Females interact with males in the discussion through microphones and satellite;

• Employ only well-qualified teaching staff;

• Reduce emotional abuse in schools and introduce rules to protect the rights of students and teachers;

• Study other traditions and languages;

• Hold religious discussions with teachers who do not pronounce fatwas.

Teachers must be highly qualified, experienced and trained to teach. They are every child’s role model and so must have the vision and inspiration to teach. Teaching cannot be done by any person; it is about being unique, about being creative and about a balanced relationship between teacher and student.

A good teacher should be able to:

• Present the idea to students;

• Understand the idea and make sure the students do;

• Explain and clarify the idea;

• Be creative and artistic;

• Be imaginative.

Since education is lifetime learning, books must be regularly upgraded. Information should be given to students depending on their age. In other words, why does a 13-year-old in a government school take nine courses a day with four or five being Islamic courses plus difficult work in both math and science?

The mission of any school is to develop in its students lasting qualities of responsible citizenship, self-esteem, self-discipline, trust, the habit of lifelong learning and respect for others. This can be done by teaching conflict resolution skills, by requiring a high academic purpose, and by strengthening relationships among parents, children and the community.

Our schools should believe in the following:

• Every individual has an innate drive and unique capabilities to learn;

• The protection and care of children are the priorities of any community;

• All people possess absolute universal human rights;

• Everyone deserves to be treated with respect;

• A community must have a moral foundation in order to thrive;

• Everyone has a right to the unrestricted pursuit of learning;

• A community is only as strong as the contributions of its members to the community;

• Excellence is attainable by all;

• Challenging life experiences lead to personal growth;

• All people have the right to live in a safe and orderly environment;

• A healthy society is free of divisiveness (i.e. tribalism and feelings that one school of thought is superior to another);

• Recognizing as well as honoring human diversity enriches the individual and the community;

• Human life has immeasurable value;

• All people have the responsibility of protecting the natural environment;

• High expectations yield higher achievement;

• Public education is essential to the survival of free society.

Everything should be done without undermining our religion and traditional Islamic values. One should know that change does not mean we will lose our values. Young Saudis who have graduated from schools have very little general knowledge, knowledge of science, computers, technology, other cultures, and even of their own culture. They don’t have open minds, have low tolerance and remain dependent. They must learn to depend upon themselves, be patient, take risks, refuse to be judgmental and understand and respect other cultures and religions. Young men must learn that women are also just as important in society as they are.

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(Nasren Alissa is a Saudi writer. She is based in Riyadh.)