Introduction:
It is the purpose of this chapteris to highlight some goals and principles of
education with special reference to the educational system in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. To begin with, specific definitions must be given for each of the
following:
i)
Education
Education is generally defined as "the process through which a person is trained for the society in which he lives". In other words" education denotes the formation of the young, both through the introduction of values and the passing on of accumulated knowledge". Also, education is a process of socialization that enables the young to achieve adult standards of technical performance and the capacity to take part in the social life of the family, the group, the community and the country to which they belong". (Caxton Ency. V.7 P. 15 I- 1 52" - London-1983).
Accordingly,
this process must necessarily have a clear set of goals to achieve or realize.
It must also be based on fundamental principles.
ii)
Principles:
"A
principle is the idiomatic statement that rules the whole process of education
and is normally regarded as the framework of the educational input" (Dr.
A.A. Malik - K.S.U.- 2000). However,
the main principle of education is that it is a process of helping students to
achieve the self-understanding and self-direction necessary to make informed choices
and move towards personal and general goals. As a guiding doctrine, a principle
usually "focuses on the complete development of individual students through
a series of services designed to maximize school learning, stimulate career
development and respond to personal and social concerns related to the
individuals growth". (Malik -2000)
Principles of education include all the following:
§
Assessing learners' needs and learning outcome.
§
Planning and preparing for effective learning.
§
Interpreting learning unit specifications and requirements.
§
Creating, facilitating and maintaining a climate conducive to effective
learning.
§
Assessing of learning and evaluating learning sessions.
§
Evaluating the use, quality
and effectiveness of the teaching methods used.
§
Identifying and addressing
problems confronting the society and problems related to professional practice.
So,
principles are required by educationists to develop specific programs with
measurable goals and systematic evaluation procedures to demonstrate their
effectiveness.
iii)
Goals:
"Goals are the expected outcome of the educational process". A goal is an overall target, while an objective is a short-term end. Long term objectives or goals are the economic, social or behavioral targets, which are derived from the educational strategies or policy of a given country. These goals differ universally in many aspects and they are naturally affected by several factors. So, "the goals of education are the result of philosophical reflections on man, on human existence, on culture, beliefs on values, on national and individual economic and social needs, and on the system of relationships connecting man to nature, environment and to the society in which he lives". (Education Today -UNESCO- 1977).
a)
Islamic ideology of education, which is based on Quran and Sunnah.
b)
Social tradition and way of life.
c)
Comprehensive understanding of life and modern means and attitudes
related to the promotion of literacy and providing basic skills to the
individual.
However, the
concept of educational goals implies, that man is being launched towards a
future, which he hopes will be a better one. On the other hand, there are some
educational objectives, which fall within the domain of educational policy and
are aimed at concrete solutions to the problems confronting societies. Goals
usually indicate the fundamental and cultural orientations of a certain country
or community. "Goals and objectives of education are emanations of value
systems and norms which are also explicit in other cultural contexts such as
religion, belief, customs, ideologies and literary works. They correspond to the
aspirations, structures and other determining forces of the societies, which
have secreted them. Three general indicators characterize them.
The nature of the man, the nature of the society and the nature of the
knowledge". (Education Today - UNESCO- 1977). However, an analysis of
educational systems reveals that they are based not only on explicit goals and
objectives but also on implicit principles and orientations. These are often
expressed in official texts and are ruled by some political, professional and
moral regulations. Practically, it is now a universal trend to make education
available and accessible for every member of the society young or old, man or
woman, normal or handicapped, with emphasis on passing on the beliefs,
aspiration and values relating to the society in questions.
Educational
objectives can be categorized into many levels: they include the following:
§ Long-term objectives (economic / social goals) or targets. These are derived from the educational policy.
§
Intermediate objectives, (learning objectives) - derived from the goals
above -include goals for each schools level i.e.:
a)
Elementary school objectives.
b)
Intermediate school objectives.
c)
Secondary school objectives.
§
Curriculum objectives for each level based on the learning objectives for
that level.
§
Objectives for each school subject.
§
Teaching or behavioral objectives that are to be realized by the teacher
during each 45- minute period.
"These behavioral objectives are to be realized inside the classroom within a limited and specific time frame. The total sum of all periods realizes the educational objectives of the subject matter. Consequently, realization of the objectives of all the school subjects collectively will conduce to the realization of the objectives of the school level concerned and so the process goes on". So, in each lesson plan, the teacher has to state out clearly
*
General aims.
* Specific aims.
*
Behavioral aims.
On
this respect, "the teacher's job is no longer limited to providing the
student with information, however, it is extended to the development of
personality, inclinations and capabilities to nurture a qualified citizen who is
capable to contribute effectively to life in his society, to its prosperity and
progress". (Development
of Education - in K.S.A. , Min. of Education. 1996 P. 20-2 1).
Principles
of Education in Saudi Arabia
Selected
from (Development of Education in K.S.A.) Ministry of Education - 1999).
*
The purpose of education in Islam is to have students believe in Allah as the
Lord, creator and sustainer of the universe, and to help them understand Islam
in a correct and comprehensive manner as it was revealed to prophet Mohammed(
p.b.u.h.).
*
Providing the student with necessary information and various skills which enable
him to be an active and productive member in his society.
* Respecting the dignity of the individual and
offering him equal opportunities to develop his skills so that he can contribute
to the development of his nation economically, socially and culturally.
* Demonstrating complete harmony between religion
and science and encouraging the spirit of scientific thinking through
observation, research and training.
*
Teaching social studies in a way conducive to the understanding of history,
Islamic civilization and the environment.
* Arabic language is the lingua Franca in the
Kingdom but students have to be furnished with at least one of the living
languages of the world.
* Helping the individual to grow physically,
emotionally, spiritually and socially in a proper way.
* Giving special education and care to the
handicapped.
* Mutual consultation between the ruler and his
subjects in a way conducive to the building up and reinforcement of commitment,
loyalty and respect.
Some
Goals and Objectives of Education in K.S.A.
Selected from (Development of Education in the
Kingdom. 1999)
*
Implanting Islamic creed and teachings of Islam in the child's mind on the basis
of belief in the unity of God and the Prophet hood of Mohammed (pbuh).
*
Teaching children principles of good conduct and acceptable way of behaviour.
Acquainting students with various basic skills, especially language, counting
and other related information.
* Nurturing students along Islamic social life that
is marked by fraternity, cooperation, sense of duty, love of work and knowledge
and shouldering of responsibility.
* Providing students with sound basic concepts and
Islamic education to enable them to preach and spread Islam.
* Preparing all students to work in various walks of
life confidently and respectfully.
* Helping gifted and competent students to continue
their studies in all fields and academic specializations.
* Increasing the students' awareness of the cultural, economic and social problems of their society and preparing them to participate in solving these problems.
Conclusion:
The
ultimate goal of the educational system and policy is "the change in the
students' behaviour from the entrance behaviour at the beginning of the
schooling programme to the expected output behaviour as the result of studying a
specified curriculum with certain objectives which have been deliberately chosen
and stated".
Bearing in mind
that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its distinct entity as the cradle of Islam
and as a prosperous and flourishing country with various economic and natural
resources, its educational policy aims at achieving the following goals
ultimately:
*
Providing citizens with the skills required to serve, manage and develop their
own country.
Replacing foreign labour at tall levels by qualified
Saudi nationals.
* Creating a class of educated cadres and leaders to
fill vacancies left by departing expatriates.
* Creating a more productive labour force and
endowing it with increased knowledge and skills.
* Providing the kind of training and education that
would promote literacy while encouraging modern attitudes on the part of divers
segments of population.
* Providing widespread employment and income earning
opportunities. (Education and Development - Joseph Kizerbo- UNICEF - 199 1).
Clearly, in a
rapidly developing and ambitious country like Saudi Arabia, education is
expected to play a vital and constructive role in the realization of cultural,
social and economic growth of the nation in the light of a proper understanding
of Islam and the potentials of the Muslims nation in general.
Finally,
"It has to be noted that the goals and principles of education in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been workable within the worldwide educational
projects and strategies, specially the increased efforts to regulate guidance
for the educationists greater demands for professional accountability.
"A.A. Malik - Ph.D. Riyadh-2000).
However, this has been a humble attempt
to deal with the objectives and goals of education, hopeful that this issue
would be given due care nationwide.
By: MosaedAI-Mojahid Supervisor, English Language, Riyadh Educational Directorate, South Supervision Centre, Riyadh, 1421-2001.
References:
Policy of Education in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia -
Ministry of Education. Development of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Education, National report Riyadh 1996.
The handbook of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -
Ministry of Information Riyadh 1997.
Caxton Encyclopedia - volume 7- London 1983.
Education and Development - Joseph Kizerbo - UNICEF
199 1.
Education Today for the World of Tomorrow. By
Charles Humel UNESCO. 1977.
Goals and Principles of Education - A paper by Dr. A.A. Malik. K.S.U. Riyadh - 2000- Ph.D.