Comparison the education between saudi arabia and usa - Essay Example

Comparison the education between Saudi Arabia and USA America and Saudi Arabia are two extremely diverse countries, culturally, politically, economically and socially. America is a secular democratic country whereas Saudi Arabia is ruled by Islamic dictators with the help of Islamic rules and regulations. Majority of the population in America are Christians whereas majority of the Saudi’s are Muslims. “Saudi nationals account for close to 75 percent of the population. The remaining residents, nearly 6 million people, are expatriates comprised primarily of foreign workers.

About 90 percent of Saudi nationals are Arabs” (Saudi Arabia). Because of these huge differences between these two countries, the educational system in these two countries is also different. This paper compares the educational system between Saudi Arabia and USA. The education in Saudi Arabia and the USA are similar in terms of government spending on education, freedom to choose the school and education for people with special needs, while differ in terms of attitude towards education, literacy rate, religion in school, gender roles, grading scales, and stages of education (Stevenson) America is one of the most advanced countries in the world which reflected in their educational system also.

Historically, Christians are keener in providing better education to their children whereas Muslims are not much keener in providing education to their children, especially to the females. These differences in attitude towards education are reflected in the social life of these two countries. While most of the Americans are going to the schools and colleges irrespective of the gender differences, in Saudi Arabia, women are not much interested in getting educated because of the social systems prevailing there.

The Saudi Arabian curriculum is mostly dominated by the Religious beliefs and the influence of religion can be witnessed at every corner in Saudi Arabian educational systems. On the other hand, American educational system is much liberal and advanced in their approaches towards education. American education is not confined to any prejudices or biases. Religion has fewer roles in American education. “In the USA, school attendance is mandatory and nearly universal at primary and secondary levels, whereas in Saudi Arabia, the government does not impose mandatory attendance in school” (Stevenson).

Even though Saudi Arabia is doing everything possible to encourage education in their country, they are not ready to make it mandatory because of the traditions and customs prevailing in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, no child left behind policy is implemented in USA as far as education is concerned. Because of the above differences in attitude towards education, the literacy percentage in Saudi Arabia is extremely low compared to that in America. “The USA literacy rate is estimated at 99% for both men and women, whereas, literacy rate in Saudi Arabia is estimated at only 84.

7% for men and 70.8% for women” (Stevenson). To conclude, Saudi Arabia and America have more differences than similarities in their educational sector. The over influence of religion plays an important role in most of the activities of Saudi social life and education is also not an exception. On the other hand, religion plays less role in American social life which is reflected in their educational system. Works Cited 1. “Saudi Arabia”. 2011. Web. 08 April 2011. 2. Stevenson, Judah. “Educational Differences Between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America”. 2011. Web.

08 April 2011.