SAKAKA, 29 November 2006 — A debate on the prominence of religious education and materials in the Kingdom’s schools was the focus of yesterday’s kick-off of Saudi Arabia’s Sixth National Dialogue, a regular forum that began in 2003 aimed at bringing together Saudis from all walks of life to discuss their respective visions for the present and future of the country. Some of the participants calling for a reform to the Kingdom’s education system argued that
| Religious teaching, even in science classes, is playing a hegemonic role, marginalizing the core curriculums required to learn and succeed. |
I'd say that's something of an understatement.
Others defended the prominence of religious teaching in public schools, saying that outsiders are trying to change Saudis. But both sides agreed that the current system requires some reform in order to address the needs of the Kingdom in terms of skilled workers.