We all know that the new decision to begin teaching English to six graders came after a long struggle and a great many arguments. The struggle and arguments revealed the extent of the phobia in the community when it comes to changing anything in the school curriculum.
Even the Ministry of Education itself was not free of the phobia. It finally decided, as an experiment, to teach English only to those in grade six of elementary school and so echoed the very phobia which a number of parents and some educators had loudly voiced.
Concerning the decision, one well-balanced teacher’s comment was that the decision is an illustration of “dancing on the stairs” with those at the top being unable to see either the dancer or those at the bottom. The teacher also said that the decision has a more severe impact than leaving the children with no second language at all. The decision seems to bow to an illogical and uninformed fear that English will somehow override Arabic and become dominant.
The ministry knows very well that English is taught in private schools from the elementary stages and that the knowledge of the language reaps many fruits over the years. The ministry also knows very well that those who have studied English from early childhood have not lost their Arab identity nor their sense of belonging to Arab and Muslim culture. Nonetheless, the ministry decided to place public school children in an experiment.
I find no justification for the ministry’s fears of teaching English in all elementary grades even if there is a shortage in human resources. At least the 4th, 5th and 6th grades can be taught since they would already have a strong foundation in Arabic. It is even more suitable and logical that children learn another language at an early stage which will give them an opportunity to compare, question and appreciate.
I see nothing to fear in the experiment. We need not worry since, as is well-known, the curriculum specialists and the authoritative decision-makers in the ministry will not give anyone the chance to do anything that is new, innovative or unfamiliar. So why then, we ask ourselves, is there so much fear and panic?
Don’t our schools suffer enough with poor maintenance and narrow corridors in rented buildings which were never designed as schools in the first place? Does the absence of a parents’ association surprise you, one that conveys and carries the opinions and ideas of parents and students to the ministry? Does the ministry not realize that most fathers and mothers are now relatively well-educated and aware? Fear is a natural part of human nature but phobia is a psychological problem that must be treated and remedied lest it become lord of every situation.
