JEDDAH, 14 April 2008 — The Ministry of Education has introduced in schools a new course, entitled “Family Education,” to teach girls about cooking and sewing.
Lamia Al-Haj, head of the curricula division and regional projects coordinator at the Ministry of Education, said students used to learn about cooking and sewing in a traditional way and that there is a need now to teach these subjects in a contemporary fashion.
“The name of the course came from a need to inculcate students with an ethos to become effective and productive members of their families and society in general,” she said. “We want them to be able to raise their own family in the future successfully.”
The subject is taught to select elementary and intermediate grades in four government schools during an initial period of three years and will be introduced in other schools at a later stage.
The idea for the curriculum was developed in 2006. “We are giving reports and recommendations in case they need to be modified. The subject will be finalized in three years,” Al-Haj said.
She added that feedbacks from students were encouraging.
“Students are really happy with the course material, which is presented in a unique fashion,” Al-Haj said.
