Developing Education Systems in the Oil States of Arabia: Conflicts of Purpose and Focus

Abstract

This article discusses contemporary concepts and systems of education and training in the oil rich states of the Arabian peninsula. The argument focuses upon how education and training affect and are affected by economic and social development in these oil‐exporting states. The speed of change in the states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — facilitated by receipt of oil revenues — makes analysis of educational development especially interesting in itself. The timeliness of such a discussion is enhanced by the fact that, following between one and three decades of development, these states are beginning to evaluate, rather than forge on with expansionism. Indeed, falling world crude oil prices might well oblige some thoughtful consolidation.

Citation

Birks, J.S. and Rimmer, J.A. (1984), "Developing Education Systems in the Oil States of Arabia: Conflicts of Purpose and Focus", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044952