by
Wael Al-Sayyah , Accredited translator , RAY Publishing House
Hi Reem,
To answer this question, I would like to add here another question you asked: "What are the obstacles that face the secondary education in the Middle East?"
In fact, it is the whole teaching system in the Arab world, starting from the first stages.
I once watched a program talking about the Japanese society, including their social and educational life. It turned out that, in my humble opinion, best improvement for secondary education stems from the accumulation of years before it, namely teaching students how to be organized, thinkers, researchers, self-initiators, responsible.
In addition, there was focus on the quality of the curriculum rather than huge number of pages and books in our Arab world, that would break the backs of our students.
They have to memorize rather than create and think.
Also, the role of the teacher, his/her personality and entity, and material and spiritual needs , are completely forgotten in most of the Arab countries. This leads to their frustration, and eventually, the inability to creatively teach students.
I think one cannot talk about the education problem from one side or point of view. Many things have to be taken into consideration, (e.g., the environment, the system, economic and even political situations).
Best regards.
Wael Al Sayyah
English teacher, translator,
Damascus, Syria
