belly_dancer

I do not know about pay.. but would assume it would be true, as you do not need a teacher certification to teach in private schools...
but ALL teachers are underpaid!!!!

Mosaic

I agree that all teachers are underpaid, but here in Australia, the independent/private sector teachers are paid quite a bit more than the State/government sector. Also the Catholic school teachers would fall under the private pay structure, even though the school fees are heavily subsidised by the government e.g catholic school fees per year average around $7 to 8000, Independent/full private schools average around $15,500 per year ( that is year 8 & 9 fees) the senior years it is even higher and the lower years a little less. The fees also go up each year. Last year our year 8 & 9s were around $14,500. State school fees around between $300 to 500 per year. Of course there is the books to add to that plus uniforms. Private and Catholic schools have very formal uniform, the state schools are not so formal, but uniform nevertheless. The difference is cost is considerable though. But the private school teachers need to be paid and we send our kids to these schools to benefit from the education offered, so must be prepared to pay for all this. If the State schools offered the same level of education then people wouldn't bother to struggle to put their children through the private system. Sadly it is not so.
~Mosaic

gypsy8522

KateNurse,

When I keep hearing of the sexual molestation of children by priests, which is of a widespread concern nowadays, I am inclined to think that abuse of children in some of these 'learning institutions' is alive and well. But it's good you mentioned that "cruelty" is not exclusive to Catholic schools only, and that "all different schools" did it as well... and I say that "cruelty" is not exclusive to a specific COUNTRY..... or Religion. Everyone does it, has done it, and anyone who's read history should know this. So, I personally think, instead of pointing fingers at the "wrong" other religions/ people are doing, why not start with ourselves first. Is this a good idea?

Aisha Azar

Dear Gypsy,
I know I am not Kutenurse, but I think that we should certainly start with ourselves first, as you suggest above! As a Panthiest, I try hard to practice tolerance regarding all religions.... but it is not always easy!!
Regards,
A'isha

gypsy8522

A'isha,

As you already know, I am not from Saudi Arabia, and I have also never lived there. The only thing I can tell you come from personal experiences, like the private schools which I have attended my whole life. I can still kind of remember my weekly schedule from my final year, it was as follows: 7 hours math, 5 arabic (or french) I wanted to study French but my parents made me take arabic, 6 English (no other choice), 5 hours Chemistry, 5 Bio (other option was Physics), 3 Philosophy (or economics), 2 Physical Education (Art or Music), 1 Islamic Studies (or Religion).

There are two types of schools , government schools, and private or "language" schools. Most people living in the Gulf countries are well off and they can afford to put their kids in private schools. There are SO many different systems, French, German, Lebanese, American, Canadian, Indian and so on...the British system is the #1 i.e most common, however each school has there own rules, regulations, different books they use etc.. If people don't like a particular school, the easiest thing is to move on to another. I have personally been to 5 different schools, and I thank my parents for working hard in order that I don't go through government schools! I am pretty sure that private schools outnumber the public schools. Actually, one of my classmate's father was none other than the minister of education, LOL how embarrassing is that? Obviously he wasn't doing his job or he would have taken his own daughters to a government school. BTW, when I was in 4th grade, I had the honor of spending one whole day at a government school. My mom's friend was a teacher there, and her daughter who is also my friend, was a student. Some things I thought were strange, like the cafeteria selling chewing gum?!?! The English they taught, for my level, was So easy... when class was over I said that's it I moving to a government school LOL. And they had a school band, an entire orchestra that played the national anthem in the morning, afterwards they chanted the pledge "Our country blah blah" I was wondering the whole time if anyone ever felt out of place, since 90 percent of the students there were children of expatriats, so it wasn't exactly "their" country. I also didn't understand why the tables in the classrooms were so old and worn out when the government has so much money! With that said, you wouldn't believe how happy these people were, I also felt a kind of friendliness that I know I wouldn't have gotten had I visited one of the snobby private schools. Overall, I can't say that I liked it, but I enjoyed it because of the whole experience, except that I never got to ride the yellow bus. Oh, and did I mention they got out almost 3 hours earlier than us? Not fair.

KuteNurse

Interesting information Mosaic...Thankyou for sharing! My son's schooling costs were the same each year. The school kept lower tuition costs by doing LOTS of fundraising. For instance, every year a 100 dollar dinner and dance was held. Every family who had children in the school, was responsible for paying 100 dollars and attending a dinner/dance. It was actually a nice time to socialize and spend time with other couples...Children were not allowed of course. I can't tell you the committee's and the time I spent volunteering to raise money for tuition. Catholic schools also had a policy if you wanted your child to attend a Catholic school and you did not have the finacial means to do so, they would pay your child's way. Charity...A few people I knew took advantage of this. My son's uniforms were simple consisting of a pair of khaki pants, a white buttoned polo shirt and a sweater or a sweatshirt in red or navy blue. He was allowed to wear tennis shoes as were the girl students. My favorite memories of his schooling were the Christmas shows in the church...Always portraiting Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger. He was fortunate to have wonderful teachers and many good friends. Have a good night I will write more when I am not so exhausted from work.

KuteNurse

Gypsy,

I believe or I would like to think, that Pope John Paul put an end to molestation of children by priests. It probably still goes on, hopefully it does not. I do know that abuse of any form was not tolerated for any of my son's education and that he was fortunate enough not to have been the victim of abuse. I also do not know anyone personally whose children have been abused in school. Also, not only were priests involved in molesting children, but ministers of all religions around the world. In the States, when I was in school, spanking and other forms of discipline were allowed. Now it is almost non-existant. (Although I believe sometimes a naughty child needs a little pat on the butt.) Those are my experiences.

Once again, my intentions were not to offend you or others. I honestly have no prejudism against you or your religion I am actually quite fascinated with your culture. I wanted to point out differences in religions. I strongly have my believes and you yours. Who is to say what is right or what is wrong? I am truly exhausted because of a bad day, so I will type more. Forgive me if I do not make sense...lol Good night.

KuteNurse

In the States, most of the children attend public schooling. I like hearing about all the differences, but when you look at things closely. Things from all over the world are really not that different at all in education. Maybe we should all live in Bulgaria who has the highest level of education from all over and all schools are private. Think of the competition between all the schools and how high they must thrive for higher standards.

sedoniaraqs

Is the problem just a few people in the past that had to be gotten rid of? Or is it also the whole notion of expecting adults to live lives of total sexual abstinence. To me this is just wrong, unhealthy, and one more factor that might lead a disturbed person to molest a child. If you surpress normal sexual drive, it will manifest some other way.

Even though the choice to enter the priesthood is a free choice, once a person has begus such a career, the personal and spiritual pressure to live up to expectations of god and the pope and everyone else, and not fail or quit (especially due to all those evil desires of the flesh) must be monumental -- enough to make a fair number of people crack under the pressure.

Sedonia

Mosaic

Schools have changed a lot, Children are much more protected from any type of abuse. The school rules in private schools are very strict, and the kids just accept and honour the rules. The State schools also have rules and regs, but the kids do get away with more, as they can't be sanctioned as strictly. Drugs of any description, alcohol, theft, taking and displaying a weapon of any type at school is automatic expulsion, Bullying, 2 warnings, 3rd time parents are called in and counselling is given, 4th time expulsion. For small infringments they get demerit points - like being improperly dressed, or running in no run zones etc. Once they have 3 demerit points the kids get detention after school on a Friday for an hour. The kids hate that as Friday is the day they just want to get home and vege out

The State schools because they are zoned ( meaning they cover an area and kids living the zone must be admitted to the school) - means that it is tough to expel someone, they have to be really, really bad.

When I was at school many, many moons ago, during my primary years girls and boys could be strapped, at college boys were caned and girls got detention, anyone who was to receive detention or caned was called out in the whole school assembly and the the school was told why you were being punished, that was extremely humiliating. A teacher could without impunity clip you across your ears, and you dare not complain or tell your parents LOL as they invariably stuck up for the teacher.

The kids today have so much opportunities whatever school they go too. I loved school and if I was at school now, I would never leave My son is away this week on an environmental studies camp in an area that is a summer beach resort in the summer. Each year the kids from year 3 on have some form of camp week, they learn to work together, are taught survival skills in the bush, which in turn gives grounding for survival out there in the big wide world, I remember david's year 4 camp they went to a place called Sovereign Hill, and attended the little wooden school house that does everything like back in 1860-70s, the kids and their teachers also dressed in period clothing, panned for gold etc. So much fun, but they are learning the whole time.

Ahhh to be a kid today!
~Mosiac