Female Education, when will it really happen? [Archives:2000/51/Focus]

Jalal
Al-Sharaabi
Yemen Times
Though we have already entered the third millennium , the Yemeni society is considered one of the most discriminating societies when it comes to female education. Despite tangible efforts exerted by the ministry of education, yet frightening statistics give a dangerous indication of how critical the situation is. About 80% of the female population has been deprived of primary, let alone higher education.
Its not only the cultural heritage that stands against girls education, its also financial and to an extent systematic reasons.
Most of female illiteracy is detected in the countryside and suburbs. In those regions females are most of the time the only supporter for the families where males usually migrate to other countries for better earning such as the Gulf, or even to the cities. Leaving behind their wives and children with no supporter, many times never coming back. In those areas, due to lack of facilities, the woman spends most of her time either bringing water from wells, gathering fire-wood or taking care of the house and children.
The cultural heritage being the social rules that govern societies, does not allow women to go to other villages seeking education, or to study at a co-educational school. The over-protection men impose on their women forbids them from studying, especially if it meant their being outside home for some time.
The distribution of schools in remote areas in Yemen is unfair. Also the availability of reliable teachers and qualified staff is another shortcoming in the education system in Yemen.
Not only that, but the crimes taken place at medicine faculty of Sanaa University were another drawback in girls education. The disappearance of medical female students from college and finding their mutilated corpses later on certainly does not encourage families to send their daughters to universities, especially with the media extensive coverage that accompanied the incidents when were discovered. Another incident which happened a month ago, was an armed force attacking a girls school in Sanaa and threatening its principal. The incident resulted in the closing down of the school for a week and left psychological effects on the minds of the students.
Mrs. Fouziya Numan Head of the Womans Illiteracy Eradication Council, in an intellectual gathering last Tuesday; said that the Illiteracy Department at the Ministry of Education is trying hard , but the efforts do not give the required results because of the lack of systematic organization in this field, and most importantly financial reasons. She said that illiteracy fighting teachers salary does not exceed one thousand and a hundred and fifty rials, then how do we expect him or her to perform well.
Many of the educational intellectuals and specialists are still urging the ministry to update the courses and syllabus taught in schools and universities. Mr. Abdul Karim Al Iryani emphasized on the same in a scientific conference which took place three months ago in Hadramaut.
There are more than 3500 private educational institutions in Yemen, yet they seem to be unable to perform the way they should. There is no coordination between different organizations. Not only that, but also women associations seem to be unable to criticize or take a neutral role due to their official attachment to the government.
We want good education and an educational foundation where we feel safe- that was the plea of students who have been affected with the current situation of female education in Yemen. UNESCO has presented suggestions and funds to help and improve the level of female education in Yemen. Still there is a long way to go, and we hope something materializes before its too late, so that Yemen can catch up with other countries in their strife against illiteracy.

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