A local magazine surveyed a group of Saudi students and found that 26 percent were in favor of using force to resolve world problems, 56 percent said they considered themselves oppressed, 40 percent said their teachers do not allow them to express an opinion, 67 percent said there are many issues they are not allowed to discuss in class with their teachers, 71 percent said they objected to their friends disagreeing with them, 42 percent said they found it difficult to change their conviction even if they were wrong, 60 percent said they felt uncomfortable about differences over many public issues and 40 percent said school activities did not provide an outlet for them to express themselves.
As an employee of the Ministry of Education, I must admit I find myself greatly embarrassed and shamed by the results of the survey.
The figures are a scandal involving me and my colleagues in the education sector and they indicate a kind of unforgivable failure.
If the figures reflect the attitude of future generations, we must remember that they will grow up, that their extremist views will remain with them and the tendency to isolation and a culture of violence will characterize them.
The result of the survey should serve as a warning and open our eyes to a serious situation that, unless urgently addressed, could lead to catastrophe.
I believe the first step in addressing the problem lies in instilling in teachers and all those involved in education the ideals of dialogue, tolerance and acceptance of different views.
Teachers must lead the way by showing they apply those principles. The old should serve as a model for the young, providing them with good examples and they should do so by ensuring that their words match their deeds.
Students should be encouraged to uphold these values, learn to shun fear, have the courage to express their views and work with others in an atmosphere of cooperation and fraternity.
This calls for the establishment of a relationship between teacher and student based on mutual respect and goodwill, free of threats and intimidation.
Schools must serve as centers of attraction and places where students can engage in activities to develop and polish their talents and enable them to pursue their interests and build their personality.
If we can manage to translate these into reality in our schools, then the culture of dialogue and tolerance will prevail over that of violence and intolerance.
