Khaled Al-Sulaiman Okaz newspaper I HAVE completed all phases of my school education in government schools outside the Kingdom where my late father had been serving in the diplomatic corps. Had those schools implemented the latest decision of the Ministry of Education not to give admission to foreign children over the age of 8, I would have been in a predicament! Hence, I do not understand why the ministry has taken such a step, especially while taking into account that an overwhelming majority of foreign students are seeking admission either in schools run by their community members or in private schools. Only a handful of foreign students — due to financial or social reasons — enroll in Saudi government schools. Also, mixing with foreigners gives Saudi students access to different cultures and a valuable opportunity to acquaint themselves with foreign communities. An overwhelming majority of Saudis who live in various countries for work or study send their children to government schools in those countries. If they were denied admission or expelled from these schools we would have considered it a form of discrimination and racism that would trigger outrage and stir up emotions back home. But as usual, we do not look at ourselves in the mirror or put ourselves in the place of others. I wish officials at the ministry will review the recent decision because education is a basic component of human life. Like primary health care, it is also a basic right of every human being in any part of the world.
