At present we are going through an educational crisis. This crisis is in relation to the non-availability of quality education, and the capacity or capability to understand the educational material that is given to students. The crisis is getting acute as the population grows annually.
Every citizen has a right to receive good, quality education. This is something that should be ensured without chaos and without having to remind people of favors. Education is every citizen’s right, and something he or she should utilize in the future to serve the Kingdom. Therefore, what is expected is to have intensive efforts to solve the educational crisis we’re suffering from in each and every field of education.
Most importantly, we need to provide good, quality education to all free of charge. Education in private schools and colleges have been instrumental in solving many people’s problems but still cannot solve the problems of the poor and middle classes who are unable to afford expensive private education fees.
Lately, many public universities have opened their doors to admit a large number of students who were unsuccessful in their admission at other universities. In return, the students are required to pay fees each semester. The universities have promised these students that they have to pay for their education for one year and after that they would be able to transfer to learn for free like other students. However, students have now been studying for two years instead of one and have hardly been guaranteed the chances of studying for free.
I received a letter from a man whose daughter is studying for a diploma provided by the Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education at the Taibah University in Madinah. The father, who pays SR7,500 in fees for each semester, mentioned that his daughter, along with her friends, was told on admission that when they finish four semesters and gain 4.5 GPA then they would be able to study for free.
The girl and her friends studied hard. Some even had to borrow money for their college fees hoping and dreaming to be entitled to a free education after two years. Surprisingly, after four semesters had passed and they had acquired 4.5 GPA they were shocked to learn that their request to transfer was delayed because the university’s director had postponed his decision until the following year.
The father was questioning how the university could go back on its promise to the students? Isn’t the university presenting a bad example? Did the university forget its educational role? How about those students who can’t afford the lectures they’re attending, should they neglect the director’s decision to be issued after one year? Should they continue their education and have debts up to their ears?
What is even worse is that this father thinks that male students participating in the same program were given free education. It is left to be seen if this is true? Until when will this discrimination continue?
