PARIS: It will not be possible for English language classes to be introduced for Grade Four at all 30,000 elementary schools in the Kingdom at the start of the new academic year, said Faisal Bin Muammar, Deputy Minister of Education. The classes will only be held at schools in major cities for the time being, he added. In reply to questions from Okaz/Saudi Gazette about the ministry's readiness to carry out the decision he said, “It is difficult to carry out the decision for two reasons. The first one is related to the availability of qualified and trained teachers. The second is the time needed to evaluate the experiment, to decide its merits and demerits.” He made the comments during a visit to a Saudi school in Paris on Saturday. He said the royal decision to introduce English for Grade Four classes was based on a study conducted by the ministry. The ministry is committed to its implementation. The experiment will be carried out first in the large cities and major centers. He stressed the importance of teaching English as early as possible to schoolchildren. This is because it is the language of business and will help to improve the current weak standard at high schools and universities. About the make-up of teaching staff at the Saudi school in Paris, he said 50 percent of these jobs are occupied by foreigners and he will raise this issue as soon as he arrives back in Riyadh. However, the experience of some foreigners is important for the school, he said. About the possibility of Saudi schools abroad teaching the official language of their host countries, he said this is decided on by the ministries of education and foreign affairs. He said the task of the holding company set up for the development of education is an attempt to take up some of the ministry's responsibilities, which includes training of female and male teachers, building and maintenance of schools and printing of schools' syllabi. The company will carry out these tasks soon. He made it clear that the company has no role in compiling the curricula of the ministry's schools.
