In Saudi Arabia, most educational programs in health sciences face challenges due to the continuing growing needs for implementing new concepts and principles of education. Although these concepts and principles are simple conceptually, they are far from easy in implementation. In Saudi Arabia, there are often common challenges to the management of educational programs. These challenges can be grouped under the following:

Academic staff:

It is frequent that the academic staff has very diverse backgrounds, trainings and attitudes toward education. Furthermore, there is often no unified method of education in most institutions and colleges. A significant number of the academic staff lacks essential knowledge and skills in the principles of education.

Students:

With the current education system in primary and secondary schools in Saudi Arabia, most students are used and most comfortable with “traditional” teaching methods. There is little, if any, active involvement in learning. There is competitive attitude with no cooperation or team work skills. There is over emphasis on marks and grades regardless of the actual learning.

Curricula:

In Saudi Arabia, most of the educational curricula, specially, in the health sciences field are modified versions of leading international Universities. Although this may satisfy the requirement of knowledge and skills needed in a given curriculum, it often neglects the current cultural situation and the actual implementation. This has resulted in partial implementation of selected parts and pieces of these curricula.

 

The following is the “Philosophy” and Approach to the Curriculum Development. It is based on previous studies and recommendation in the field of Education, and more specifically in “Adult Learning” or Andragogy. All these suggested ideas are tested and proven to be effective as detailed in the literature. The main references for this are: 

• The Adult Learner, Sixth Edition (2005) by Malcom S. Knowles, Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A. Swanson
• Self-Directed Learning: A Guide for Learner and Teacher (1975) by Malcom Knowles.
• http://www.learningandteaching.info/

 

The philosophy in short points:

• The ultimate goal of education is: to change how people think and live, and not to provide information to them.
• Education is a tool to enhance Economy, cultural values, societal goals, and self-actualization of individuals.
• Education is a “Process” through which students learn. It is not a “Product” that teachers prescribe to students.
• Elementary (or Machine) Model is not applicable to Human. Instead, we need Flexible Organic Model in Education.
• The Humanistic Theory of learning is based on: Liberation of people, and democracy. The focus of Education is on the “Student”.
• The role of the teacher is a “Facilitator” of learning, and his main task is to organize learning environment and experiences.