This refers to the news report published in Arab News, “Mass school transport system needed” (Oct. 8). I really appreciate the remarks of the Deputy Minister of Education for Girls Nura Al-Faiz who said the government was working to provide good transportation facilities for children within the framework of the plan for introducing public transportation as part of the national effort.
There is no doubt that the Kingdom needed a better network of transport facility including one for the female students. But, I must say that the administration is prioritizing its areas in the educational sector well. The best example is the pronounced statements by the education minister and his deputy in the report.
In this regard, I would also like to draw the attention of the honorable ministers toward one more serious problem the expatriate girls are facing. After completing their 12th standards they face huge difficulties in getting admission for technical degrees such as engineering and medical in Saudi universities; and this is also too expensive for the expat parents to afford. So, at least the deputy minister of education for girls, being herself a woman, will understand the problem of the expatriates girls, and should allow some foreign universities to open their branches enabling the expat female students to complete their technical degrees in Saudi Arabia. — Dr. Khursheed Akhtar, Jeddah
Varsities for expat girls
