tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post9082780425022282068..comments2024-03-27T11:21:40.742+04:00Comments on Muscat Confidential: The True State of Higher Education in Oman? "Very Poor"... An Exclusive InterviewUndercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-61529530828078944382012-02-12T04:44:09.271+04:002012-02-12T04:44:09.271+04:00i am poor omani student living in karachi...i stud...i am poor omani student living in karachi...i studied till intermediate in pakistan and now i started acca... i need monthly allownace from oman government plzzzz help me.... my email is adeelsadruddin@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-68801480851166680472011-09-25T15:48:46.759+04:002011-09-25T15:48:46.759+04:00Hi all,
I stumbled into this site accidentally and...Hi all,<br />I stumbled into this site accidentally and it seems quite interesting.<br />After reading most of the posts I'm left wondering if this site is actually a forum to suggest improvements or is it for just cribbing.<br />I do not have even the remotest connection to the education field. But I have had the opportunity to work with many natives at different levels.<br />Like in any other country or an organisation, Oman also has its leaders (about 5%), the followers (about 65%) and the incompetents to fill the numbers.<br />From what ever I have seen, i can vouch that the leaders are of high calibre. While the incompetents are the same as anywhere else, the followers is where the problem lies.<br />Some of you may not agree with me. But it is a fact that leaders are generally born and they are determined to excel in whatever they do. So is the case with the top 5% in Oman.<br />For the 65% of the mediocre who are followers, the value of education and work ethics are still alien concepts. But again, we must try and analyse the reason behind the lethargy and the casual attitude.<br />Oman is relatively young in terms of development of infrastructure, education et al. The expatriate population come from countries which have matured educational system developed over many decades. Are we fair in comparing the relatively younger system in Oman?<br />Then take the cultural background of the natives. Most of them have spent their youth in rural areas and agriculture or animal husbandry have been the main activities. Coming from such a background, one is not expected to have mastery over any foreign language. They have been peace loving people with hardly any exposure to the rat race called competition as seen in other parts of the world. Further the community support to the poor and weak is a tradition in this country.<br />The current generation is caught in the transition period and they are coping with the situation as best as they can. I am sure the following generation will have the advantage of parental supervision at home to instill the required discipline, respect for education and work ethics.<br />So folks, if all of us are around in the next 20 years, probably we will see a more diligent and sincere workforce with the required skills and knowledge to take care of their own affairs. That will be the day, they should thank the expats and say good bye.<br />wandererAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-8684905584517758072010-11-26T09:30:05.689+04:002010-11-26T09:30:05.689+04:00The government's concept of free education doe...The government's concept of free education does not make young omanis good at all. Only the deserving youth should enjoy free education. This concept of free education is not only costly to the government but also keeping omani youth from taking education for granted. My 5 years of close supervision to these students lead to nowhere. Here are my observation.<br /><br />1. There is a denial from the higher authorities with regard to omanis skills. Ask any expatriate working in any industry how these omanis work. They tend to be lazy, too complascent, and worst their level of skills is still far off. Many leaders turn their blind eyes on these.<br /><br />2. Students (90% is safe) want marks only. They will do cheat in the class, 99%, im sure. <br /><br />3. The projects they prepared and presented are very elementary. Too simple and yet so imperfect<br /><br />4. They dont like to be pressured. They hate it They just want to relax as if education is like a picnic<br /><br />5. If the students complain, the higher authorities listen to them than to the teachers. They are spoiled brat. They are making their country bad.<br /><br />6. Its only in this country that parents of college students go to teachers and beg to keep the marks of their children high. Or not, wasta will come along.<br /><br />7. The use of sub-contracting expat teachers are not doing anything good. Bahwan, Global network, and TATI make much money out from the hardwork of the teachers.<br /><br />8. The teachers in OmAN are receiving less salary compared to its neighboring countries. A sizeable number will shift outside considering that these teachers were not given any increase in salary this year. An increase of 50 rials for this year can not even cope inflation.<br /><br />9. Lack of discipline <br /><br />10. They have not seen and experienced that outside of their country, the students are far- off better than them. <br /><br />The college students here think, behave, and act like elementary students.<br /><br />They need more helpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-44724902305609505662010-11-25T18:36:55.431+04:002010-11-25T18:36:55.431+04:00Just read these very interesting comments - I teac...Just read these very interesting comments - I teach in Oman and, to answer comments I saw earlier, students usually have enough English to enter the course but need continuous improvement (especially as college is usually the only place they speak English) and I disagree that students know about Omani history and the current situation - their knowledge is sketchy as best.<br /><br />I can only comment on the students I teach but they are victims of a system that encourages memorisation and little critical thought. It takes time to develop skills and all we can do as teaching staff is to plug away and hope that we reach one out of one hundred.<br /><br />I also teach beside Omani's and I am a supporter of Omanisation but the problem is often a lack of commitment and a tendancy to 'coach' - remember, they too came through the present system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-37134372443508656412010-08-25T02:31:48.725+04:002010-08-25T02:31:48.725+04:00Yes..I tooYes..I tooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-53916998599233218272010-07-09T18:23:06.506+04:002010-07-09T18:23:06.506+04:00the comments seems to be interesting.....
but now ...the comments seems to be interesting.....<br />but now im confused..i don't know which college or university(squ) would be good for ACCA courses...i have completed half the papers of CAT and planing to do the rest of the papers of CAT in cbfs.....<br />now im confused wdr i should continue my studies in cbfs for ACCA or join SQU....<br />by the way what im aware of is that that the education system here might not be up to the mark because i heard many omanis find it difficult to cope up with.......and even in omani schools the education system is different i guess...not like the edexcel curriculum.<br />students who are a frequent reader of newspaper and other scientific stuffs they will be aware of LHC and that pluto is not a planet..then about quarks.nuclear fusion and fision...then making genetical plant which can cure hepatisis...etc.....i learned about these in grade 9 and 10.....but as i was interestd in sci-fi stuffs,,i used to keep record of many things...so 1 way its how eager the students are,,,if they want to achive somethng then they should do what the teacher tells them....even the teachrs need to have a systmtc way of teachin which might make the students focus on their studies.....thinkingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-39977908126442590442010-06-18T13:04:32.554+04:002010-06-18T13:04:32.554+04:00I have thought over 3 years in the College os Oman...I have thought over 3 years in the College os Oman and despite my international credential, I preferred to work here especially that i found out that the level of education is so low. Educators like me need to provide assistance to young Omani so as to make this country grow. I stop teaching in Canada, Australia and even Japan once I found Oman because the society need of. Now, I felt sad that there are mass number of lecturer going out because the pay is very low. i CAN NOT BLAME THEM. The ministry of manpower is seem clueless on this and if ever they will give increases this year, its just a minimal amount. This will not be good in oman as it will not attract good educators to come here and force others who are here to go out as well. They should provide the best compensation if they want their education to be developed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-7709514722670642732010-05-22T11:23:40.272+04:002010-05-22T11:23:40.272+04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-82265636750128494292010-05-20T13:36:08.195+04:002010-05-20T13:36:08.195+04:00As an educator for 5 years in one of the colleges ...As an educator for 5 years in one of the colleges in the Sultanate of Oman, I am still not comfortable of the level of students we have. They are still far behind than other countries in just so many ways. They easily got tired in the class and many of them (very safe at 80%)behave like students in the secondary schools. Their analytical skill is still poor, their logic is far off, and their ability to speak english is still horrible. I do not blame or curse them. They are actually victims of poor foundation in education. Many of them told us that their elementary and secondary course are focused on memorization only. The teachers in this level need more training. Now the higher education is suffering because of this. Yes, 5 years back, i see improvement. Specially with the female students. But they have to work hard if they are serious.<br /> <br />Many students do not read books. If you give them assignment, they do not know how to research in the library. They prefer to do it in the internet and use the cut and paste method. They dont bother to read what they have copied.<br />They ask all the details as to what book to research even asking you in what page you can find it.<br /> <br />Some students are even arrogant, prentending that they already knew things. I observe that in our college, the Omani staff have these attitudes. Comes 1 in the afternoon, and all of the locals are gone when they are supposed to end their work by 3 pm. Can they become a good model? This is not to say bad to them. . . but this is the reality. I come here to share. . . to help. . . to educate.. . I am not giving up and I beleive we still have time to recover.<br /><br />To the locals, be honest were you stand. When you have self denial, you have no way to go but down.<br /><br />To the expats, examine your role in the system. Be honest in your work too.<br /><br />These need collaboration by all of us.<br /><br />These students need help. And that help must come from top down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-73553324610932957442010-04-24T14:08:37.464+04:002010-04-24T14:08:37.464+04:00Dear All,
Please do not blame to Higher Education...Dear All,<br /><br />Please do not blame to Higher Education.<br /><br />DISTANT DRUMS ARE SWEET.<br /><br />Every country in this world have number of problems.<br /><br />So please do not find fault in others. Please look in yourself u will get many problems.<br /><br />if you correct yourself whole system will automatically fixed.<br /><br />Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-5369048918959959562010-03-29T07:18:34.847+04:002010-03-29T07:18:34.847+04:00I would loved to have read this article. But as on...I would loved to have read this article. But as one who teaches and has taught in one of the Ministry of Man Power Colleges...i can truly say my experience was a, and please let me spell it, J- O - K- E.<br /><br />I worked with 'teachers' who couldn't speak English clearly, managers who were intoxicated and passed out in the staff room, and whom carried lots of wasta. Flies, no books, no cirriculum, no page numbers on books, and most of all teachers being physically threatened by students, and then berated by management.<br /><br />Nightmare is another word I use for my experience at one of the esteemed Ministry of Manpower Colleges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-87716558094891189162010-01-31T10:20:50.238+04:002010-01-31T10:20:50.238+04:00oman please dont waste your time these expats and ...oman please dont waste your time these expats and non expats who bad rapp oman are a bunch of hypocriticals who do nothing but create uncertainties in a place where they earn their living and providing them with a very blanket to cover themselves at nite a blanket of job security. they are not only highlighting the problems in HEd in oman but they are responsible in contributing to the mess they are talking about in this blog. <br />if they really are sincere and care about this country and if they are passionte about education at any level they would have talked to their employers or ministry or someone but NOT HERE. but they didnt have the guts to do so fearing losing their bread, so they were/are happy to add poison to the system "if what they say is true". <br />i have seen ppl writing about going to jail or getting in trouble if they talk about problems mentioned, that is not true and thats a thing of the past fellas!!! so dont try to scare ppl just to keep this blog going we are in a adifferent age, and u guys wake up and smell some OMANI coffee!!!! :-)Nasanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-63501749417741298112010-01-29T15:04:16.326+04:002010-01-29T15:04:16.326+04:00It is very easy to make witty and sarcastic commen...It is very easy to make witty and sarcastic comments about this, very drastic situation that Oman is in. I will just conclude with what I see is a fitting quotation...''there are none so blind as those who do note wish to see''Devils Advocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05785703803791621820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-6808313801005986512010-01-28T14:52:47.894+04:002010-01-28T14:52:47.894+04:00It's not just higher education or education; P...It's not just higher education or education; PDO giving road safety contracts to certain Institutes is like putting Garry Glitter in charge of a Kintergarden school!Devils Advocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05785703803791621820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-91637649904672627002010-01-28T13:03:10.800+04:002010-01-28T13:03:10.800+04:00Dear Expats (including Pockman)
Please send your ...Dear Expats (including Pockman)<br /><br />Please send your opinions, comments, and stories about Oman and its poor HE system to my email address omanyou@googlemail.com<br /><br />We all need your help in highliting the poor quality and corrupted systems in Oman and expose it to the surface, hoping some of them will feel shame about his/her planing and administrational abilities!<br /><br />I will translate your topics to Arabic, and publish it under, referring to your nickname or blog (if you wish) in the Sablat Oman (www.s-oman.net), very popular Omani website! You can reach governmental sectors via this website.<br /><br />Pockman you seem to be very knowledgable about Oman HE and you had the chance to experience its poor quality and corrupted systems. Unfortunately, I coulnt find your email address in your blog. So if you have any thing supported with stories and facts please contact me!<br /><br /><br />Thanksالكتاب الأبيضhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04176788697939049812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-49960454882617098732010-01-28T09:54:37.691+04:002010-01-28T09:54:37.691+04:00I am a regular reader of your blog,UD even though ...I am a regular reader of your blog,UD even though I have never commented.I am an expat working in Oman for the past 4 years.The topic is very relavant.Any body who is in Oman for 6 months will be aware that the state of Higher Education is pathetic and the end product unemployable.<br />A pointer to the actual state of HE in Oman and to where it is headed can be guaged from the preface to the Ministry of Higher Education web site in "English" ( (www.mohe.gov.om).See the English.Then how can the institutes/universities under its supervision be any better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-33956494646514509952010-01-27T22:51:37.613+04:002010-01-27T22:51:37.613+04:00No government in world comes to power without supp...No government in world comes to power without support of business commuinty right from the time human bieng first learned to form governments. Consequently governments sole interest is to serve business commuinty. Private colleges in Oman raking up hefty profits are the worst effected and exposed by such interviews and therefore they will try everything on face of the earth to save their interests. This includes licencing, selective omanisation, government intervention, media controlled, silencing the critics etc. It is not unusual to see this happening all around the world. However, education is normally spared from clutches of business commuinty. However, in Gulf government funded education is available for few while rest have to rely on private education which is not only expensive but worthless.Packmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396106289585589345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-86817487632315356962010-01-27T16:46:59.261+04:002010-01-27T16:46:59.261+04:00Hi Dragon, It was a great post. My, what a mess eh...Hi Dragon, It was a great post. My, what a mess eh? I have now left Oman, but I can tell you that this scenario runs right through every aspect of Omani life - and by that I mean EVERY aspect. I'm sure you know this all too well... its crocked from top to bottom. Its just the way it is and always has been/will be. Its verboten to peek behind the curtain. Folk are shackled, a reformation is needed, but that's something of a biggie. A seeming no, no. So it goes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-81749776302862612022010-01-23T11:06:04.328+04:002010-01-23T11:06:04.328+04:00Guys it all start at school when you are a baby......Guys it all start at school when you are a baby....that is where controlling quality starts!!!!By the time you're at University you should be able not only to listen but contribute...However, currently those who make it to the HEI , who are ideally around the top 25% of Oman's High school out-put every year, require complete basic build up. This is not a fault of their own or shortage of their analytical skills, not at all, this is because of an education system that has been built by Oman which:<br />1- Burden Teachers with activities that has nothing to do with education;<br />2- Burden students at early age with having to take a number of classes for long hours with another 40 kids in one class room. This resulted in little of everything but nothing is solidly built;<br />3- Any autonomy is reserved to the clan at the ministry’s head office and its branches , teachers who are in the ground are out of any development equation;<br />4- Poor language basics ( both Arabic and English)… <br /><br />And the worst of all , and I speak of myself now, there is hardly any free choice on what direction or field you want to study…they whole HE system is built around what % you got as an overall scoring in your high school will decide if you go to medical college or the least liked choice college of Arts!! Now you have, for example, tons of teachers, am talking about schools prior to University levels, who don’t like teaching nor do they like the subject they teach!!! But having a choice between going to the street or getting any job with a salary…one will most likely go for the any job with a Salary.<br />Conclusion the equation of “waste in = waste out” comes to play here. Solution is back to the drawing board and it really means back to when kids at the age of 5 starts going to any form of institute!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-23412553616334101522010-01-11T11:11:27.667+04:002010-01-11T11:11:27.667+04:00I worked at a College in Oman for 2 years what sho...I worked at a College in Oman for 2 years what shocked me was the first month I was there I had to invigilate exams. I was amazed that the students asked me the answers. I was like sorry i can't tell you the answers. Anyway a few minutes later the subject teacher came in and the students shouted out a number of questions and the teacher told them the answers. Imagine after less than a month realising what a sham education is in Oman. In my first year the college had some good staff but after seeing what the reality of life was like they all left and what remained were the dregs of society. <br />The students were friendly enough but know matter how bad a student was he would never be asked to leave. If you reported a student for being absent over the presecribed limit then you made work for the locals who did not much enjoy this and you got to the stage when you were just like ok whats the point. The belief amongst most teachers was that the MoHE did not really want education just crowd control and that was what we were paid to do. We had classes of 30 sometimes. <br />Many times we had to change students grades or bump them up 5 percent on the wishes of someone. Books were never delivered for the start of the semester. Aggresive HODs telling teachers he hated them. We had it all. The plagarism and systematic cheating was shocking but when the teachers help the students in this what is going to change. I had students reference www.essaycheats.com and www.buyyouressayonline.com In our city we were far and away the best educational establishment. Imagine how crap the others must of been and people paid money to go to one of these.<br />Education in Oman is a joke but what is the alternative all those youths angry and with nothing to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-39844514263790362452010-01-10T14:33:36.549+04:002010-01-10T14:33:36.549+04:00Good to see so many comments on this vital topic. ...Good to see so many comments on this vital topic. I have come very recently to Oman and working for Higher College of technology. I am frustrated by both attitude and knowledge of students. How can you make a horse dreink water when horse is not willing to drink the water. You can take horse to water. You can bring water to horse. But difficult to make horse drink water. I am so impressed by this country and king here but very frustrated with students. I am not teaching here but acting in the class.worst i am not allowed to fail anyone.i am just looking forward for the end of contract date to exit and teach students who are trainableUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05080391646810049947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-7276682469027395662010-01-10T10:53:30.071+04:002010-01-10T10:53:30.071+04:00Anonymous you have picked up the problem. Apart fr...Anonymous you have picked up the problem. Apart from schooling it is discupline, attitude and work culture that matters. So even if you get admission you will not be able to complete the course.<br /><br />To circumvent the problem, colleges here have affiliated themselves to tier 3 and tier 4 colleges. Simply beacuse there would be both easy entry and easy exit.<br /><br />In prestigious programs, entry would be limited and also there would be lot of dropouts as students will not able to cope. Ministry needs to support such programs for long term development of the country. <br /><br />At least have one university which is ranked amongst top 50 in the world.Packmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396106289585589345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-11199590543402043632010-01-10T09:17:09.015+04:002010-01-10T09:17:09.015+04:00Dear Princess,
you describe it very nicely... WHen...Dear Princess,<br />you describe it very nicely... WHen you are properly educated, u do not settle for dogmas, u ask questions, u doubt and therefore you are VERY "uncomofortable" for any ruling group, be that political or religious...<br />It is called the mushroom theory: Feed them shit and keep them in the dark. Coz dear friends, the system is in the Dark Ages still. <br />School graduates in Oman, would have serious entry problems in MOST universities. It is not only the result of poor schooling. It is also the result of lack of discipline from home, lack of study system etc etc. <br />CRITICAL THINKING means going AGAINST what other people believe as a certainty only because your data point you that way. Even if that is against your parents beliefs... Ooooops... no can do...<br />Have a nice, constructive and free thinking day people...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-17879646231891769612010-01-10T00:42:38.789+04:002010-01-10T00:42:38.789+04:00I've mentioned the critical thinking thing in ...I've mentioned the critical thinking thing in my previous post, the first point. But y'know, critical thinking = knowing more about truth, which can be dangerous sometimes. The stupider, the easier to be controlled. I guess this is how Arab peoples are wanted to be!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-4502840942565011052010-01-09T23:56:21.358+04:002010-01-09T23:56:21.358+04:00I agree with anonymous that people here are stubbo...I agree with anonymous that people here are stubborn. We will go away today or tomorrow but people of Oman need to realise what core competencies they have in face of China and India. China has manufacturing expertise. India has service expertise. After Oil gets over what core competencies would keep this beautiful nation from ticking. It would be another Somalia. Quality higher education is only resort available. Whether the author lost his job or he left on his own is debatable. And even if he lost his Job it does not portray badly on his expertise. Holy Prophet of Islam was oppressed by Meaccans and they refuse to belive in him and finally he had to leave after 13 years. <br /><br />If higher colleges of techonology is so much reformed then can anyone give its credibility in Job market. Reserach competitiveness and graduate employability is the result by which we should judge. Reason why I raised MCBC issues was some shareholders here who wanted to offlad their stake tried to praise Missouri which is a tier 4 university. Not Third Class but FOURTH class. No answer to that at all. Rather than answering this there were personal attacks. <br /><br />If MCBS is so bold let them bring a Bradford like FT 100 listed university. Affiliate with them and teach 150 students (tough entry requirements) and then brag here about quality. Rather, MCBS is commercial and has sahreholders and need volumes to sustain. Nothing wrong in it. But then dont brag about quality.<br /><br />MCBS need intake of 200 students to sustain. If they fix entry requirements at 75% (secondary school) and IELTS 6.0 they will not get those. Beacuse there are not more than 200 students available after SQU/ FREE seats available to take paid seats with high scores. They would rather prefer to go abroad.<br /><br />It is high time entry requirements are adhered honestly in order to improve higher education. If we take garbage in the system, only garbage will come out. Even best of college cannot train underprepared and low quality students being churned out of school system.Packmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396106289585589345noreply@blogger.com