Principal of Al-Hussain Schools recalls late King Hussain ben Talal words: Among what we have, man is the most precious. [Archives:2000/37/Interview]

Heated arguments have been created over non-governmental education amid the unique spread of non-governmental universities and schools. Some people stand strongly for non-governmental educational institutions as a better alternative for the governmental ones which are no longer mind-molding centers, as they say. Others stand against non-governmental educational institutions viewing them as money-making centers. Away from that debate, it is unquestionable that non-governmental universities and schools have at least lightened the burden to governmental ones. What do owners of non-governmental schools say about their schools and what can they offer students? Below are excerpts of an interview Akram Al-Saqqaf of the Yemen Times have had with Mr. Issa Abdul Aziz Qassem, Jordanian national, principal of Al-Hussain Schools and chairman of the board of British Modern Institute.

Q: How do you asses education in Yemen? Do find any difficulties here?
A: I have noticed serious attempts to improve educational situation. However, still are there certain blocks created by traditions and conventions that do no not help education reach the desired level. For example, girls are, in some areas, not allowed to go to school, boys are devoted to certain kind of work, early marriage, lack of funding, etc.

Q: None can deny the contribution of non-governmental schools to development. In what aspects do non-governmental schools defer from the governmental ones?
A: One of the most features of the non governmental educational institutions is providing the necessary standard equipment for teaching. Owing to competition created by availability of many such institutions, they have to continuously develop so that they keep their reputation. We, in Al-Hussain Schools, have wide standard buildings and each class has as a maximum 25 students. In addition, we provide students with highly qualified teaching staff. Students here also have good chances to study languages and train on computers. Such facilities are not available even in some non-governmental schools.

Q: What is, in your opinion the best means to make students benefit from summer vacation?
A: Students in general need a kind of entertainment. It is then the parents role to guide them to beneficial entertainment programs. A balance should be struck between times of entertainment and times of going to languages and computer institutes. I have seen that many Yemeni students travel abroad in vacations as a kind of entertainment. I think it is better for parents to let their children stay here and learn something useful.

Q: What do think are the reasons for the vast spread of language institutes? Do they help qualify students in your opinion?
A: Spread of such institutions is positive for they really help develop students abilities, specially in English. However, those institutes should be controlled be some laws that prevent their conversion into money-making centers.

Q: How do you assess the level of Yemeni students?
A: Yemenis are intelligent and they have a instinctive desire to learn, specially girls. Had there been special schools for talented students, there could have been many Yemeni scientists, intellectuals, sportsmen, etc. with overseas reputation like the great Yemeni boxer, Naseem who achieved a great position in the world of boxing when facilities where available.

Q: How does the Ministry of Education deal with requests to open non-governmental schools?
A: I should say that, the Ministry of Education should not license any school unless it makes sure that the school will be run by well-qualified staff.

Q: Any last word?
A: Yemen is full of ambitions and great potentials. At the top there are ambitious leaders who are well aware that society reform can not be without education. Let me at the end recall what Late King Hussain Ben Talal said; Among what we have, man is the most precious

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