the tragedy of education in kuwait can be traced to one fundamental issue: the government administration’s failure to recognize its paramount importance.
without a firm belief in the critical role of education, no progress can be achieved in economic, commercial, or societal spheres. despite substantial educational investments, much of the budget is allocated to salaries, with a significant portion going toward unnecessary positions.
the current situation is exacerbated by a surplus of kuwaiti teachers, many of whom specialize in non-essential subjects such as drawing and physical education.
compounding the problem is the mismatch between available teaching positions and the demands of a knowledge-based economy. vacancies for essential subjects like physics, mathematics, and science often go unfilled, necessitating the recruitment of non-kuwaiti teachers. this reliance on foreign educators highlights a failure to cultivate expertise among local talent.
moreover, the oversupply of education graduates reflects a lack of strategic planning and career guidance. many graduates from education colleges struggle to find employment in sectors outside of teaching, despite the shifting demands of the job market.
this over-saturation not only devalues the teaching profession but also undermines the quality of education. teachers face challenges stemming from students’ deteriorating behavior and outdated curricula. despite these obstacles, dedicated educators persevere in their noble pursuit of shaping young minds.
addressing the crisis in education requires a comprehensive reassessment of priorities and a concerted effort to invest in quality teaching and relevant skills development. only by recognizing the crucial role of education and providing adequate support to educators can kuwait hope to overcome its educational challenges and unlock its full potential for development.
the minister of education, in full cooperation with the prime minister, is concerned with developing a solution to the problem of education and stopping the decline in the level of students and teachers, and the usually subsequent decline in the level of the nation as a whole. this requires something of the utmost importance, which is developing a modern education plan and having it approved by the council of ministers. do not allow any official to interfere in it!
education encompasses more than just classroom instruction, textbooks, and teachers; it extends to the influences of family, environment, media, and communication platforms. in today’s interconnected world, the impact of these external influences on children’s learning experiences is profound, sometimes even surpassing that of traditional educational settings.
it is essential to ensure that these external influences are not harmful and do not contradict the school curriculum. contradictions between what children learn in school and what they absorb from other sources can lead to confusion and cognitive dissonance, especially considering the absence of formal education in critical thinking.
the lack of critical thinking education can hinder students’ ability to discern between conflicting information and ideas. this was exemplified by a personal experience sixty years ago, where a student’s attempt to reconcile contradictory information led to investigation and suppression rather than open discussion and critical inquiry.
today, with the proliferation of religious discourse through various media channels, there is a heightened risk of misinformation and confusion. some clerics disseminate extreme views that not only lack coherence but also sow discord and confusion among their audiences.
an example cited is the recent discussion of dress codes for prayers, which introduced perplexing distinctions between “free women” and “slave women.”
the disconnect between religious discourse and reality raises questions about the relevance and applicability of such teachings.
in a world where slavery is largely abolished, the notion of regulating prayer attire based on ownership status seems antiquated and out of touch with contemporary society.
in conclusion, the integration of critical thinking skills into education is crucial for empowering students to navigate the complexities of information and ideas encountered in both formal education and external influences.
additionally, ensuring that religious discourse remains relevant and coherent with contemporary values and realities is essential for fostering understanding and harmony within society.
what about the rest of our dangerous issues? how can a teenager listening to these people relate their words to what he learns in school? isn’t there a sane person, someone with authority, who would say to these people, “enough”?