During my school, I learned to answer one question “what is
the right answer?” I learned to memorize the book so I can answer this
question. I was so happy when I answer it and see the teacher says “Excellent
Hassan!”
Then, when I graduated from High school and went into the
university, I followed the same path. I memorize things, answer the question
and become happy as an excellent student.
Then, I joined the real world. I followed the same path
looking for the right answer. But this didn’t work. I couldn’t argue with
people because they think differently. I see one side and couldn’t understand
why the other side is not seeing my clear and obvious answer.
After years of real life experience, I learned that I spent
12 years at school answering the wrong question. I didn’t know why this is the
right answer. I didn’t learn to critique and challenge this assumingly right
answer. I didn’t learn that the world has different answers to one problem. I
learned at school that every problem has one answer only!!
I believe our education system in Saudi Arabia can be fixed
if we start by changing that question. We should have a question that makes our
students THINK not memorize. Memorizing cannot solve the world’s problems. The
world needs people who THINK to solve its complex problems.
During my master studies at Cornell university, I learned to
answer different question “ what is the flip side of the coin?” it is basically
letting us as students sees the other side of every answer and challenge it to
think clearly and have a better solution. Maybe that question is the start to
improve our education system.
