A quarter of a century ago a controversial book was published in the United States. The author of the book wrote about the deteriorating American educational system.
In fact, the author stated clearly that in spite of the powerful United States economy, the country’s educational system was far behind that in other advanced countries such as Germany or Japan!
The United States, however, did not ignore the warning but took it seriously and overhauled much of its educational system especially in the fields of mathematics and sciences.
The improvements in the educational system continued through the Reagan years and went on up through the presidency of the first George Bush.
In addition, President Bill Clinton made it clear during his time in the White House that education was a cornerstone of American national security. We must be clear that most advanced countries understand and interpret the word “education” very broadly; they do not use it to mean only reading and writing as we in the third world do.
Those countries are well aware that education has very little to do with rote learning; the production of parrots who can recite without understanding is not part of their aim.
On the other hand, they seek the best styles and methods which will identify talented students and allow them to excel.
One of the mistakes that we of the older generation have committed against the younger generation is that the attainment of a “certificate” has become the ultimate goal. As a result, the country and the region is overrun with thousands who have a “certificate” but who lack any innovative skills, any dedication and any willingness to continue learning.
This is the case because our students’ knowledge stopped when they attained their goal — the certificate. Neither the market nor the country needs these armies of certificate holders; what both need and require is a talented, motivated and conscientious work force.
Many countries have been able to overcome the shortcomings of their educational systems by upgrading graduates’ qualifications by training programs and by introducing other mechanisms to enable students to assume supervised work responsibilities upon graduation. The King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals has adopted such a program for its students and I wonder why other universities have not followed a similar course. I must also say that I see no shame in seeking advice and help from nations more advanced than we are.
Japan did exactly in the last half of the 19th century and in spite of their egotism and belief, they listened and learned and made progress. Because of their willingness to listen and learn and apply what they had learned, they are today among the most technologically advanced nations on earth.
