Today's Gulf Times carried an article where recommendations were made to make arabic language and sharia compulsory in curricula of all expat schools in Qatar.
How do QL'ers with school going kids feel about this? Make your opinions heard.
genesis,i wasn't being sarcastic...for a change! *wink*! that was a genuine question!...anyways,yes Awqaf/Islamic Affairs doesn't have jurisdiction over education...but i'm sure they'd love to!...
Maybe you are right. I would certainly leave, but then I am effectively on secondment as opposed to being in it for the long haul and therefore have the financial security to walk away. Perhaps I am overestimating the zeal of my fellow secular Christian expats, but I have a hard time imagining parents' reactions at schools like DESS and ASD to compulsory classes is Sharia and Islamic studies, particularly as the qualifications of the instructors would likely be dubious at best (i.e. where would they find highly qualified teachers to teach these subjects appropriately in a country with an existing shortage of good, qualified teachers?). For one, the international accreditation of the schools would be under threat.
I don't object to my children learning about Islam in the least, but the way it has been described by this group is not simply information, but education with the intent to persuade/convert. For the same reason, I would object to schools in England making classes in Christianity compulsory for all children, but I do not object to classes in English history or culture that include the roles that religion has played.
Regardless, as I said, I cannot fathom the country's leadership letting such a program come to pass.
Good sensible post and I do agree with 99% of what you have said.
However, I doubt people would leave if their children were taught in this way - I think they would try harder to give a balanced opinion or at worst rubbish what was taught the kids.
Arabic and Qatari history make sense--they are the official language and culture of the country. The same should be true of any country.
Being Muslim is not compulsory in Qatar, and Sharia is not applied to non-Muslims (hence Fillipina maids caught in 'illicit' relations are not whipped, whereas their Egyptian lovers are--to use a recent example); therefore, neither of these should be separate subjects of study in secular expat schools. The most relevant aspects of Islam in terms of understanding the host culture can be taught through a compulsory study of Qatari history.
Both ASD and DESS offer Arabic as options, and local history is part of their curriculums even in the earliest years. In fact, a separate stream of Arabic literacy is offered at ASD for the mainly Qatari children who speak Arabic but read and write mainly in English due to their having been educated in English-speaking schools. The same ministry that has issued the statements in the original post has been complaining about this lack of Arabic literacy for some time.
It seems to me that this government group issues rather heated resolutions and demands from time to time, but not much comes of it. The reality is that if Islamic studies became compulsory in the secular expat schools (at least in the indoctrinating way this group seems to envision them being taught) many expats would leave. I also cannot imagine the Emir and the other leading figures in the government, who have worked so hard to foster a balanced tolerance for the other Abrahamic faiths, ever allowing something like this to come to pass. After all this is the leadership that donated land for Christians to build churches and was amongst the first in the Arabic world to condemn the recent bombings in Egypt. As much as I complain about Qatar not getting things right (and Genesis can attest to this ;-) ), this is something with which the national government has done very well.
I don’t know who’s this person or whether he works for SEC, which I doubt!
The Private Schools Office at SEC is only responsible for licensing private schools operating in Qatar and monitoring their compliance. They don’t interfere in what is taught there
The exact clause from SEC guideline ‘Conditions and requirements for obtaining a license for a new school’;
“Schools that implement accredited international curriculum standards should allocate weekly hours to teach Arabic language and Islamic studies to Muslim students in the school and Qatari history to all students according to national standards”
And Dr. Faragani is described as a "consultant for the Ministry of Endowments". So no, I doubt he speaks for the SEC (or hopefully many people, with that attitude of his...)
As you said, all schools in Qatar -- even ASD, Doha College and the like -- offer Arabic and Islamic Studies classes for students. It is already being done.
If the government wants to mandate they follow SEC curriculum for those classes, then that seems fine (as they do not affect British/American graduation requirements and are not a part of our normal curricula).
The newspaper article, however, gives the impression that the international schools are here for nefarious purposes. "Dr Ahmed Faragani thinks that the main hidden goal of expatriate schools is to destroy the language, history and religion of the nation and isolate the coming generation from their culture by constructing a barrier between them and the deeply rooted values of the nation."
Wow. Paranoid much, Dr. Faragani? LOL!
Newsflash: We build OUR schools to support OUR children so that they are prepared to re-integrate back into OUR society when we return from abroad.
If locals choose to send their children to these international/expat schools, then it is incumbent upon THEM to ensure that their children do not lose touch with THEIR values and traditions.
Where is the sense of parental responsibility in all this? Just as I live here in Qatar, it is my job as a mother to make sure that my child understands that even though we live here, we come from another country with very different values and customs.
I certainly hope he will have an appreciation for the many cultures/languages/religions he encounters while living here, but in the end, it's MY job as a parent to give my child a solid grounding in his own.
All private English schools in Doha offers an optional Arabic & Islamic studies classes, but each with it's own. Now all are recommended to follow curriculm that is in line with SEC guidelines
SEC recommendations are very clear, Arabic & Islamic studies are compulsory for Arab students ( Qataris in particular).
The SEC main concern are Qataris students , this came after many local parents complains that Arabic/islamic studies are very weak at most private schools.
I can't think of a good argument against learning the language of one's host nation (provided, as Isobel said, that a student can handle the academic rigors of such a class).
Sharia? I'd personally have a problem with that being mandatory. Because Sharia is a code of law based upon a specific religion, it would only be acceptable to me if it were taught as an elective comparative law class, say, for high school students. Then it would be appropriate.
If instead of Sharia, you meant they should be teaching all children Islamiyat/Islamic Studies classes, then you'd get a vehement NO from me. Unless you're going to couch it in a "comparative religion" class that EVERYONE has to take, then why should my child have to sit through a class that will amount to nothing more than religious indoctrination to a faith that I don't subscribe to?
I would be more than happy for my child to take a class on "history of the Middle East and the Islamic World" or "Arab cultural studies" (and much like an Arabic language class, I see those as being very appropriate seeing as we all live here and Qatar is our host country).
But when you throw religion into the mix (unless you make it a survey class of ALL religions - which would, of course, never fly here among the locals), you lose my support.
In order to teach religion effectively there has to be comparatives.
What I mean by this; when explaining to children the various nuances of religious beliefs one has to show a comparative and what that comparative means to that particular religion. If we are going to go down the route of teaching religion in this country we are going to have teach ALL religions; in order to get the history, culture and meanings of what each religion means to that particular one and how in some cases some religions are tied to each other through geographical circumstances and culture and how indeed they came to be that Religion. There will have to be healthy debate and in some cases at High School level, debate as in e.g. Islam and Christianity. Would that work? I think in ex-pat schools it may but in some local private schools, I doubt it.
However; if by religious education they mean telling a few stories from Koran to incite a healthy interest in the local religion, it could work.
I am all in favour of Arabic being taught to those children who shown an interest; I don’t think it should be mandatory though as some people are not good at second/third languages and this may add pressure to what is a very pressurised day to some school children.
I will defend, to your death, my right to my opinion.
Arabic, Sharia law, Qatar history plus Islamic history should be taught at all school as a compulsory subjects to Muslim students & optional to non-muslims. Only if they wish to.
study Arabic or Islamic studies (which I understand from a Qatari friend includes an introduction to sharia). After all, isn't the basis of education to prepare one for life by providing a broad-based foundation from which one can later choose a specialty to focus on?
Besides, I thought this was implemented from last year by the MOE.
The way I look at it is like this. My child is enrolled in a Western school. My child is not Muslim. Of course he should learn about Islam, but not as something he needs to submit to, but something he should have knowledge about. The same goes for Sharia law. We do indeed live in an Islamic country, so it is important to be familiar with Islam. I like that Arabic is taught, the more languages a person knows,the better. The only problem I have is that so far all the Arabic teachers we encountered are totally useless.
Arabic is a very good idea since it is the local language...not so sure about Sharia,why should non-Muslim kids(& there are thousands of them here right?) be forced to study Sharia???...
they should do that, why should i care about is he muslim or not-..u came to a muslim country islamic country nothing is gonna happen to ur dear child if he learns somethign except christianity. maybe it will be too much for their ignorant brains but it should be like that. i was born in germany and i went to church and i went to religious classes like all the other kids did. if u dont like it here u can leave but the minimum of respect is to send the child to learn about sharia and arabic. arabic is the language of the past and of the future..but i know where their problem is..affraid ur chidlren will convert will like it..
Expat schools here, at least the Western ones, DO teach Arabic. And Islamic studies. Islamic studies only for Muslims, of course. They also teach Qatari history, and that is mandatory for all students. Well, at least the school my child goes to does.
I do not know about the non Western Expat schools.
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genesis,i wasn't being sarcastic...for a change! *wink*! that was a genuine question!...anyways,yes Awqaf/Islamic Affairs doesn't have jurisdiction over education...but i'm sure they'd love to!...
Isobel--
Maybe you are right. I would certainly leave, but then I am effectively on secondment as opposed to being in it for the long haul and therefore have the financial security to walk away. Perhaps I am overestimating the zeal of my fellow secular Christian expats, but I have a hard time imagining parents' reactions at schools like DESS and ASD to compulsory classes is Sharia and Islamic studies, particularly as the qualifications of the instructors would likely be dubious at best (i.e. where would they find highly qualified teachers to teach these subjects appropriately in a country with an existing shortage of good, qualified teachers?). For one, the international accreditation of the schools would be under threat.
I don't object to my children learning about Islam in the least, but the way it has been described by this group is not simply information, but education with the intent to persuade/convert. For the same reason, I would object to schools in England making classes in Christianity compulsory for all children, but I do not object to classes in English history or culture that include the roles that religion has played.
Regardless, as I said, I cannot fathom the country's leadership letting such a program come to pass.
Good sensible post and I do agree with 99% of what you have said.
However, I doubt people would leave if their children were taught in this way - I think they would try harder to give a balanced opinion or at worst rubbish what was taught the kids.
Arabic and Qatari history make sense--they are the official language and culture of the country. The same should be true of any country.
Being Muslim is not compulsory in Qatar, and Sharia is not applied to non-Muslims (hence Fillipina maids caught in 'illicit' relations are not whipped, whereas their Egyptian lovers are--to use a recent example); therefore, neither of these should be separate subjects of study in secular expat schools. The most relevant aspects of Islam in terms of understanding the host culture can be taught through a compulsory study of Qatari history.
Both ASD and DESS offer Arabic as options, and local history is part of their curriculums even in the earliest years. In fact, a separate stream of Arabic literacy is offered at ASD for the mainly Qatari children who speak Arabic but read and write mainly in English due to their having been educated in English-speaking schools. The same ministry that has issued the statements in the original post has been complaining about this lack of Arabic literacy for some time.
It seems to me that this government group issues rather heated resolutions and demands from time to time, but not much comes of it. The reality is that if Islamic studies became compulsory in the secular expat schools (at least in the indoctrinating way this group seems to envision them being taught) many expats would leave. I also cannot imagine the Emir and the other leading figures in the government, who have worked so hard to foster a balanced tolerance for the other Abrahamic faiths, ever allowing something like this to come to pass. After all this is the leadership that donated land for Christians to build churches and was amongst the first in the Arabic world to condemn the recent bombings in Egypt. As much as I complain about Qatar not getting things right (and Genesis can attest to this ;-) ), this is something with which the national government has done very well.
Forgive my ignorance ;)
It's known as the ministry of Islamic affairs now. Still, education doesn't fall under their jurisdiction
and that would make sense in understanding the paranoia.
isn't the Ministry of Endowments same as Awqaf?...
I don’t know who’s this person or whether he works for SEC, which I doubt!
The Private Schools Office at SEC is only responsible for licensing private schools operating in Qatar and monitoring their compliance. They don’t interfere in what is taught there
The exact clause from SEC guideline ‘Conditions and requirements for obtaining a license for a new school’;
“Schools that implement accredited international curriculum standards should allocate weekly hours to teach Arabic language and Islamic studies to Muslim students in the school and Qatari history to all students according to national standards”
Ministry of Endowments?!!
which country is that?
SEC is Qatar’s sole Education Government entity
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=408874&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
And Dr. Faragani is described as a "consultant for the Ministry of Endowments". So no, I doubt he speaks for the SEC (or hopefully many people, with that attitude of his...)
who is he again?
can someone please provide any link?
does he speak for SEC?
As you said, all schools in Qatar -- even ASD, Doha College and the like -- offer Arabic and Islamic Studies classes for students. It is already being done.
If the government wants to mandate they follow SEC curriculum for those classes, then that seems fine (as they do not affect British/American graduation requirements and are not a part of our normal curricula).
The newspaper article, however, gives the impression that the international schools are here for nefarious purposes. "Dr Ahmed Faragani thinks that the main hidden goal of expatriate schools is to destroy the language, history and religion of the nation and isolate the coming generation from their culture by constructing a barrier between them and the deeply rooted values of the nation."
Wow. Paranoid much, Dr. Faragani? LOL!
Newsflash: We build OUR schools to support OUR children so that they are prepared to re-integrate back into OUR society when we return from abroad.
If locals choose to send their children to these international/expat schools, then it is incumbent upon THEM to ensure that their children do not lose touch with THEIR values and traditions.
Where is the sense of parental responsibility in all this? Just as I live here in Qatar, it is my job as a mother to make sure that my child understands that even though we live here, we come from another country with very different values and customs.
I certainly hope he will have an appreciation for the many cultures/languages/religions he encounters while living here, but in the end, it's MY job as a parent to give my child a solid grounding in his own.
Thanks for the clarification ..
All private English schools in Doha offers an optional Arabic & Islamic studies classes, but each with it's own. Now all are recommended to follow curriculm that is in line with SEC guidelines
Of course this only apply to schools that follows SEC. As far as I know, ASD, DESS and Doha college are not
Having read the article, I find it a tad misleading and somewhat vague.
The report is based on a "survey" conducted by the Arrayah Arabic newspaper.
I think the focus is on expat schools catering for Arabs and not expat schools catering for Westerners.
SEC recommendations are very clear, Arabic & Islamic studies are compulsory for Arab students ( Qataris in particular).
The SEC main concern are Qataris students , this came after many local parents complains that Arabic/islamic studies are very weak at most private schools.
Yup you do it, but make it optional please.
I can't think of a good argument against learning the language of one's host nation (provided, as Isobel said, that a student can handle the academic rigors of such a class).
Sharia? I'd personally have a problem with that being mandatory. Because Sharia is a code of law based upon a specific religion, it would only be acceptable to me if it were taught as an elective comparative law class, say, for high school students. Then it would be appropriate.
If instead of Sharia, you meant they should be teaching all children Islamiyat/Islamic Studies classes, then you'd get a vehement NO from me. Unless you're going to couch it in a "comparative religion" class that EVERYONE has to take, then why should my child have to sit through a class that will amount to nothing more than religious indoctrination to a faith that I don't subscribe to?
I would be more than happy for my child to take a class on "history of the Middle East and the Islamic World" or "Arab cultural studies" (and much like an Arabic language class, I see those as being very appropriate seeing as we all live here and Qatar is our host country).
But when you throw religion into the mix (unless you make it a survey class of ALL religions - which would, of course, never fly here among the locals), you lose my support.
Isobel said R.E ...
In order to teach religion effectively there has to be comparatives.
What I mean by this; when explaining to children the various nuances of religious beliefs one has to show a comparative and what that comparative means to that particular religion. If we are going to go down the route of teaching religion in this country we are going to have teach ALL religions; in order to get the history, culture and meanings of what each religion means to that particular one and how in some cases some religions are tied to each other through geographical circumstances and culture and how indeed they came to be that Religion. There will have to be healthy debate and in some cases at High School level, debate as in e.g. Islam and Christianity. Would that work? I think in ex-pat schools it may but in some local private schools, I doubt it.
However; if by religious education they mean telling a few stories from Koran to incite a healthy interest in the local religion, it could work.
I am all in favour of Arabic being taught to those children who shown an interest; I don’t think it should be mandatory though as some people are not good at second/third languages and this may add pressure to what is a very pressurised day to some school children.
I will defend, to your death, my right to my opinion.
Arabic, Sharia law, Qatar history plus Islamic history should be taught at all school as a compulsory subjects to Muslim students & optional to non-muslims. Only if they wish to.
hey here is my best friend putting his nose again in everything...how r u today dear? how is ur scarecrow????
study Arabic or Islamic studies (which I understand from a Qatari friend includes an introduction to sharia). After all, isn't the basis of education to prepare one for life by providing a broad-based foundation from which one can later choose a specialty to focus on?
Besides, I thought this was implemented from last year by the MOE.
The way I look at it is like this. My child is enrolled in a Western school. My child is not Muslim. Of course he should learn about Islam, but not as something he needs to submit to, but something he should have knowledge about. The same goes for Sharia law. We do indeed live in an Islamic country, so it is important to be familiar with Islam. I like that Arabic is taught, the more languages a person knows,the better. The only problem I have is that so far all the Arabic teachers we encountered are totally useless.
Arabic is a very good idea since it is the local language...not so sure about Sharia,why should non-Muslim kids(& there are thousands of them here right?) be forced to study Sharia???...
they should do that, why should i care about is he muslim or not-..u came to a muslim country islamic country nothing is gonna happen to ur dear child if he learns somethign except christianity. maybe it will be too much for their ignorant brains but it should be like that. i was born in germany and i went to church and i went to religious classes like all the other kids did. if u dont like it here u can leave but the minimum of respect is to send the child to learn about sharia and arabic. arabic is the language of the past and of the future..but i know where their problem is..affraid ur chidlren will convert will like it..
Expat schools here, at least the Western ones, DO teach Arabic. And Islamic studies. Islamic studies only for Muslims, of course. They also teach Qatari history, and that is mandatory for all students. Well, at least the school my child goes to does.
I do not know about the non Western Expat schools.