For the first time ever in the Kingdom, students were handed out test papers of a completely different nature in various schools this week. Students were both astonished and puzzled when they read the list of 140 questions that they were required to answer. Rather than testing the students' knowledge on subject material in their curriculum, they were asked to evaluate and assess the school, its general environment, teachers and a host of other contributing factors in their educational experience. The Ministry of Education is using this self-evaluation and assessment project to collect data on the conditions of schools throughout the Kingdom and the quality of education through the eyes of students and will then accordingly use the information collected to improve and develop the Kingdom's education system. The questionnaire randomly targeted different schools in all regions of the Kingdom and a participation of 30 percent of the students in each school was required. The questions encompassed all issues that pertain to the students and concern them such as the level of communication and dialogue between the teachers and students, the students' opinions on the curriculum, school activities and rules. The questionnaire will help researchers at the Ministry of Education work in the correct direction toward providing an ideal environment that fosters a love of learning and knowledge. Some of the questions asked were: Do you fervently look forward to the new school year? Do you feel that you have certain rights and freedoms at your school? Are your teachers considerate of your emotional state? Does the general school environment assist you to achieve academic excellence? Do the teachers treat you with respect and amiability? Over 50 questions elicited the students' evaluation of their teachers, the level of dialogue between the teachers and students, and how well the teachers encourage and motivate students to study well and reach their goals. In comments made to local media, Shoura Council member on the Committee on Education, Dr. Salem Al-Qahtani, said, “The evaluation of the schools and teachers by the students is a positive step which was long overdue. The educational field needs such evaluations, surveys, and questionnaires to truly rise up and advance. This time around the survey was directed towards high school students, and in the future it should also allow participation of students in all grades and especially university students.” “The voice of the students must be heard, and the students' responses must be seriously studied and looked into, and not just collected as data. The student is the building block and the most important component of the educational system, so no doubt he/she can shed light on how to improve it,” added Al-Qahtani.
