Tamadher Al-Rehaili Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Ministry of Education had years ago issued a directive to merge the primary classes of boys and girls elementary schools. This was to provide job opportunities for female graduates, and to improve the educational process. A ministry source said that the directive does not apply to government schools, and does not violate the educational system. The directive is in accordance with article 14 of the private education system that allows private schools to employ female teachers for elementary classes. Nawal Baoqbah, educational supervisor at a girl's private school said that she witnessed an improvement in students' behavior. A female teacher, she added, is better capable of teaching elementary students, as she is more detailed and affectionate. Families have accepted the idea until the second grade, after which the male students would be transferred to boys' schools. Boys maintain their characteristics, but they also learn discipline. Boys and girls are only merged during classes, but are separated during breaks. Hanadi Mumenah, a school principal, said that she canceled third grade merging, as third grade students are aware of their surroundings and the environment. They also rebel against their female teachers. At this stage, the child needs a male teacher, as he is influenced more by his fatherly figure. She believes that it is difficult to apply co-education in all provinces of the Kingdom. Children in some provinces are more respectful of their fathers than mothers, and would find it difficult to respect a female teacher. President of the Private Education Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Faridah Al-Farsi, said that the society is apprehensive of female teachers. They believe that their sons will acquire female characteristics, and may view their female teachers in a different prospective. If such problems occur, they are the responsibility of the family. She added that the female teachers should be well qualified to deal with the mix of students. Colleges and universities should offer education on the characteristics of each grade, how to deal with children, class management, and enforcing self-esteem in children. A mother said that she prefers a female teacher for her son in the primary classes, while a father rejected the idea. He wants his son to have masculine characteristics. The Director of Jeddah Educational Directorate, Abdullah Al-Thaqafi, said that the experiment has been successful for the second year in Jeddah. Any new experiments have to be gradually introduced. They have to be tried in model schools first, before generalizing them. He added that not all schools environments are qualified for the experiment. He asks for the cooperation and understanding of parents, and for schools to carefully choose female teachers.
