Education in the country

A friend of mine, AB has left a message on my message box a few days ago. I'm still wondering actually how she got to know about my blog since I haven't in contact with her since I finished my study in the States.


Oh well, she's coming to KSA (Kingdom of S@udi Ar@bia) too! Let's have a Malaysian community in KSA, AB!! Though she'll be going to Y@nbu, which is about 2 hours of flight from my place, we'll be in the same country. Insyaallah, we could meet one day.


AB has requested me to post about children education in KSA. No doubt, that is among the most popular questions being asked whenever somebody make a decision to come to KSA. AB, I'm not the best person to write about this but I'll try to explain things according to my experience. Anyway, my coverage would only be in Al Jubail. I believe, it'll be the same throughout the country. Hopefully!


In here, there are many international schools. There are many and it ranges from the cheapest (somewhat like SR8,000/year) to the most expensive (like RM58,000/year). Do not worry so much if you're offered a family package since the Company would cover the children education. However, you need to note 1 thing, how much is the coverage. Some companies limit the child education to a certain amount. So, you need to choose those schools which are within the coverage. Some companies just pay all expenses without asking much!


As for me, when I first arrived in Al Jubail, we (my husband and I) have decided to send our kids to the newest school in town and it happened to be it is the closest from our house. The reason being, to let our kids adjust themselves with the language and foreign environment. Since the school is new, there are not so many students in each class. So, the teacher would be able to spend more time with each student. The fees wasn't that high too. It was only SR10,000/year which is paid by my husband's company.


But and a really big BUT... Since most of the teachers in the schools are Ind1ans and Ph1lippino, the English was somewhat not a real English accent. Another thing is, since the school was so new, it tries to portray a good impression to the ministry of education. They want to make sure the kids progress well (extraordinary well - like no C's at all). Who suffers? The kids who are adjusting themselves like mine!


My 2nd child is only 6 years old (entering kindergarten stage). But, the teacher has pushed her and kept telling us (the parents) that my child is not performing. We've met with the administrators and asked them to let my child to adjust herself with the environment. But, they kept telling us that she needs to study really hard (sounds like she's taking PMR in M@laysia to me). They asked us to teach her at home. She can't take it lightly. Oh dear! there goes my child joyful childhood moment... Pretty hard for us actually but finally she managed herself. She has adjusted herself, of course with the help of a few tutors.


So, for this coming session, we have decided to move our kids to a different school - the one with teachers who are coming from the English spoken countries. Insyaallah...


There are arabic schools in here too. Of course, the government schools are Arabic but foreigners are not allowed to enter those schools. There are private arabic schools that the kids can enter. It's good if the kids are about to enter their preschool (3@4 years of age). But, it'll be disadvantage to the kids if they're much older since everything is taught in arabic. The students there, may come from various arab countries like U@E, Om@n, Syr1a, 3gypt, Kuwa1t or others. They would speak arabic. The teachers would speak arabic. Our kids may learn but they need to put lots of effort. Unless, the parents can speak arabic, that would be a different case.


I have a friend who stays in M@dinah. She's an Indones1an married to a S@udi guy. Her husband is a lecturer in Ta1bah University in M@dinah. They have 4 kids and the eldest will be entering grade 7 this fall. They told me, the education in S@udi is among the worse. The style of education is like parrot teaching. Kids are taught to memorize things without having to undertand the concept. I kind of agree with them after looking at my kids syllabus and performance. During this summer vacation, they're going to M@laysia (yes, our beloved country) to look for a good school for their kids. According to the husband, M@laysia's education is among the best in the world. By the way, the husband has been travelling to so many countries inclusive M@laysia, Indonesi@ and Un1ted St@tes before. So, he has learned the education level in those countries.


To me, I don't want to be far from my kids. It is okay to let them study in S@udi at the moment. I kind of close one eyes since my kids are still small. If they're getting to the higher level, perhaps I will be thinking differently :)