MADINAH, 13 November 2005 — Many Saudi students at training facilities are finding after months of study and investments of thousands of riyals that the institutions lack accreditation and their degrees or certificate aren’t recognized by government ministries and are essentially worthless.
“They promise students jobs if they take the courses,” said Saad Al-Sihaimi, a high school graduate who fell prey to such a facility. “The thing is that these institutions have nothing but empty promises. I discovered that right after my training course ended. Many other students took bank loans or loans from other people just to complete the courses.”
Al-Sihaimi is one of a growing number of angry students and parents calling for a government crackdown on unlicensed training facilities and schools, either through the Ministry of Commerce or the Ministry of Education.
In the case of a course that lasts a few weeks, it may not have a great effect on the student, but for a student dedicating years to more complex field of study, it’s a different story.
“I paid more than SR45,000 to get a diploma in nursing,” said Rashed Al-Sihali. “After I graduated, I went to the Civil Service Department, and I was shocked when they told me they don’t accept my degree. Now I’m asking the institution to keep their promise or return my money.”
Students may have recourse in court — if they can find the operators, but how do you put a price on late nights of study and shattered dreams?
“Who’s protecting me and many others from these institutions?” Al-Sihali asked. “I wasted two years of my life studying in a fake institution that wasn’t approved by the ministry or any government department. I am the biggest loser in this picture because the case is now in court and hasn’t been decided yet.” Recruiters’ claims often have little to do with reality.
Essa Al-Amri said that most companies require English-language and computer skills. He said these institutions are taking advantage of that by providing a number of programs that promise students to acquire the skills to find employment.
“I graduated from one of them, and I am still unemployed,” Al-Amri said.
“Let the buyer beware” has long been a common adage for consumers, but it’s also a saying that students and parents should take to heart. A private institution owner speaking on condition of anonymity said that within Saudi Arabia relatively few institutions were unlicensed. The problem is students find that out at the wrong end of the training process.
“We care for people and only offer programs that would guarantee them a job or strengthen their chances to get a job,” the owner told Arab News. “Students must make sure that institutions are licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and that their degree is approved.”
There’s another old adage that could greatly benefit students and parents, namely “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“It’s not much to ask,” the owner said. “Students can call the Ministry of Civil Service, and they will determine whether their degrees are approved or not.”
