Education is the Foundation for Development
I think everyone agrees that education in our country needs to be restructured. Everything in the system, from its basic policies to the tools used, should be reconsidered.
If the United States and other advanced countries strongly believe that their education systems are in dire need of development and restructuring, then what about us?
I am sure officials are aware of this. The new Minister of Education realizes and recognizes the burden that comes with the territory.
Education requires the efforts of several government agencies to adjust the educational policies of schools and colleges to bring them in line with the main objectives of the government’s economic development plan.
The government has, over the past ten years, relied heavily on high oil prices to finance its reform and development programs, including education projects.
The current low oil prices will definitely affect the financial allocations for education in one way or another and this will be reflected in the budget over the next few years.
Our reliance on oil will impact the country’s development projects. This is a no-brainer.
It is logic that the minister realizes very well, but I bring it up in order to connect it to a point that I wish to make.
Experts agree on the importance of diversifying sources of income but disagree on the strategies that should be adopted to end our heavy reliance on oil.
While some call for focusing on industries, others advocate keeping the market open. A few say that income tax is inevitable in the future.
I do not disagree with these viewpoints with respect to our reliance on oil. However, I believe that school and college education is the best option for income diversification.
If the government’s future policies and visions are focused on industry, technology or taxes, then the government should build a solid foundation for this diversification.
Citizens should work to materialize income diversification. We cannot import will and determination from abroad to build a strong economic foundation.
We are the ones who should have the strong will and determination to do that. We might need foreign expertise when we lay down the foundation, but such a need should be temporary, not permanent.
After all, the main objective of the development process is to build national expertise in all fields.
Consequently, education is the foundation stone for development and reforms. We have thousands of engineers and doctors but we have failed to build national expertise on development.
For example, we do not have think tanks that can create ideas for our current circumstances.
If we want to end our reliance on oil, we should start focusing on our education system, which is the only development tool that no one can deprive us of.
If our citizens are educated and skilled and above all love their county, a decrease in oil prices will not impact us.