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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 7:47 pm Post subject: Saudization crisis in the education sector |
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(The following is an opinion)
The Saudization crisis in the education sector
By Ali Saad Al-Moosa, Saudi Gazette | 8 October 2016
Source: http://saudigazette.com.sa/opinion/local-viewpoint/saudization-crisis-education-sector/
Higher education institutions are being pressured to Saudize jobs and replace expatriate academic staff with Saudis. We have heard hundreds of stories about Saudi professors whose job applications have been turned down by local universities although most universities are in dire need of highly qualified academic staff and send their professors and recruitment officers abroad in search of such candidates.
Frankly speaking, I find it hard to believe that a 35-year-old Saudi professor who has a real and genuine PhD degree has been turned down by a local university. I believe most of the professors whose job applications have been turned down completed their PhD programs in local universities or in academic institutions located in nearby countries where one can easily get a PhD degree. Al-Watan daily recently published a report saying that most of those who graduated from local universities have degrees in Islamic studies and similar specializations and that less than one percent of them have applied science qualifications.
Am I against Saudization in the education sector? Yes, I am and I oppose it openly. I am against it in elementary, intermediate and high schools, and even in colleges and universities. Why? Partly because of the reasons that I have already mentioned. I am against it because education is supposed to allow us to accept other cultures and learn new things. I am against Saudizing elementary schools and universities because the education process is bigger than that.
In its golden age, King Saud University had students from different parts of the Middle East and North Africa. It had professors of various nationalities speaking different languages. During my elementary to secondary education, I was taught by teachers from different countries. I went to King Saud University and was taught by professors from 10 different countries.
Let us look at universities abroad. Princeton University boasts that it has students and professors from 97 nationalities. If I had the power to make decisions in the education sector, I would require each school to have an expatriate teacher who would teach students one class every day. I would require all universities to allocate funds to fund expatriate students who want to enroll in them.
(End of Opinion) |
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Dr X
Joined: 04 Jul 2016 Posts: 84 Location: Everywhere
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Saudization crisis in the education sector |
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I believe most of the professors whose job applications have been turned down completed their PhD programs in local universities or in academic institutions located in nearby countries where one can easily get a PhD degree. |
The problem is not Saudization crisis, it is the education crisis in the Magic Kingdom. |
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SaabFanatic
Joined: 27 Oct 2015 Posts: 28
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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Well, not to be unkind, but it seems like a conundrum of sorts.
Hire a Saudi who who is not up to the task...or hire an expatriate.
Meeting "Saudization" requires hiring a Saudi. Getting the bloody job done...requires an expat.
For those who say there are capable Saudis...high five. Some of the best people I have ever met in my life. But not nearly enough of the desired caliber to go around... |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 2:43 am Post subject: |
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The most capable Saudis I met were working for Mobily the Saudi phone and WiFi company, otherwise I didn't meet any capable Saudis. Oh yeah and bank tellers. |
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sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:47 am Post subject: |
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plumpy nut wrote: |
The most capable Saudis I met were working for Mobily the Saudi phone and WiFi company |
s'funny... those I ran into before I fled to Zain were almost all inept |
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2buckets
Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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I met a few very capable Saudis in the RSAF. All had extensive training in the UK, USA and France. That's what probably "tainted" them. |
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lizzydizzy
Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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Can the educational authorities ban bilingual teachers from other countries? |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 2:46 am Post subject: |
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lizzydizzy wrote: |
Can the educational authorities ban bilingual teachers from other countries? |
I don't understand your question. Considering that there are likely a few thousand bilingual (or multi-lingual) teachers currently teaching in KSA (and the other Gulf countries), why would they do this?
VS |
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lizzydizzy
Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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veiledsentiments wrote: |
lizzydizzy wrote: |
Can the educational authorities ban bilingual teachers from other countries? |
I don't understand your question. Considering that there are likely a few thousand bilingual (or multi-lingual) teachers currently teaching in KSA (and the other Gulf countries), why would they do this? |
Would they ban these teachers in order to Saudize university teaching jobs? |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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I suspect that "ban" is not the word. As far as university level teachers - professors or EFL teachers - first priority in hiring would be a Saudi. Chances are that there are few Saudis who would want the job in EFL. Then it goes to required credentials for foreigners... NS or NNS. Reality is that with equal education and experience, a NS would be preferred, but all too often these days, the pay isn't enough to always get a NS.
VS |
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lizzydizzy
Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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veiledsentiments wrote: |
I suspect that "ban" is not the word. As far as university level teachers - professors or EFL teachers - first priority in hiring would be a Saudi. Chances are that there are few Saudis who would want the job in EFL. Then it goes to required credentials for foreigners... NS or NNS. Reality is that with equal education and experience, a NS would be preferred, but all too often these days, the pay isn't enough to always get a NS.
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First, a ban adequately applies to a preferential, even if non-verbal policy, although some may not like the strength of the word. Secondly, what experience and qualifications must a NNS have? This is not clear to me. I would also suspect that a NNS would have to pass a proficiency exam rather than only have education and experience. Or is this not the case? In essence, what qualifications must a NNS have to be hired? |
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veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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Ban means that all NNS would not be allowed into the country to teach. That isn't going to happen.
As to requirements of individual employers, you will have to read what any ads say and eventually it is a question that you would have to pose to each employer.
Clarity is not something that one will find in KSA.
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:46 am Post subject: |
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lizzydizzy wrote: |
veiledsentiments wrote: |
lizzydizzy wrote: |
Can the educational authorities ban bilingual teachers from other countries? |
I don't understand your question. Considering that there are likely a few thousand bilingual (or multi-lingual) teachers currently teaching in KSA (and the other Gulf countries), why would they do this? |
Would they ban these teachers in order to Saudize university teaching jobs? |
Saudization refers to the country's policy of replacing non-Saudis --- NNS and native speakers --- with qualified nationals across the private sector. This initiative isn't limited to TEFL, which represents a drop in the bucket of all jobs in the Kingdom. Plus, most university instruction in KSA, in general, is in Arabic anyway.
and lizzydizzy wrote: |
First, a ban adequately applies to a preferential, even if non-verbal policy, although some may not like the strength of the word. Secondly, what experience and qualifications must a NNS have? This is not clear to me. I would also suspect that a NNS would have to pass a proficiency exam rather than only have education and experience. Or is this not the case? In essence, what qualifications must a NNS have to be hired? |
As for qualifications for NNS English teachers, those I worked with were hired directly by the university and had TESOL-related BAs/MAs/doctorates (some with degrees completed at US, UK, and Canadian universities) just like their native-speaking peers. The exception tends to be teachers working for contracting companies, which possibly represents the majority of the teaching colleagues at your worksite. And no, simply passing a proficiency test doesn't cut it; NNSs are also required to have academic degrees, TEFL credentials, and experience.
Instead of stereotyping all NNS EFL teachers, why not just ask your coworkers what they studied at university and where they've taught? Otherwise, take up your concerns with your company if you feel others' qualifications negatively impact the quality of your own teaching. |
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lizzydizzy
Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 1:51 am Post subject: |
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nomad soul wrote: |
Instead of stereotyping all NNS EFL teachers, why not just ask your coworkers what they studied at university and where they've taught? Otherwise, take up your concerns with your company if you feel others' qualifications negatively impact the quality of your own teaching. |
First, I suggested proficiency test in addition to qualifications rather than only a proficiency test. Second, I believe I directly mentioned that the ones at my institution seem less qualified (which implies a local trend rather than a broad, national stereotype). Other than some unwarranted and incorrect assumptions about my intentions, good information was provided here. It seems that my school may not be in-line with the national standards that you've shared. I may be better off switching schools. |
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lizzydizzy
Joined: 21 Jul 2016 Posts: 46
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 1:59 am Post subject: |
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nomad soul wrote: |
Saudization refers to the country's policy of replacing non-Saudis --- NNS and native speakers --- with qualified nationals across the private sector. This initiative isn't limited to TEFL, which represents a drop in the bucket of all jobs in the Kingdom. Plus, most university instruction in KSA, in general, is in Arabic anyway. |
There may be some misunderstandings here. In the telephone industry, no foreign nationals are able to hold these positions. There is no requirement that the Saudis must be qualified or not (which could include training new workers, etc.). This is relevant because logic does not necessarily dictate that possible Saudization of the TEFL industry would require replacement of NS and NNS teachers with qualified Saudis. In fact, there may be a shortage of qualified teachers if NS and NNS (that are foreign nationals) are to be completely replaced.
Nomad Soul brings up an interesting point. If most instruction is in Arabic, as claimed, what does that imply about the overall level of English education in Saudi Arabia? Teaching primarily in Arabic implies lower level English courses, but NS teachers teach conversation courses in English, which implies otherwise. This suggests that providing a supply of qualified (at least conversational) English teachers is important for English education in Saudi Arabia. |
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