Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Dear Betsy, My husband and I couldn’t agree more with your comments about the American educational standards in this region.
We used to live in KSA and the kids were in a
When we moved to
You Brits should be proud of your education. I got your point about the spelling as I see the emphasis put on this at school. Just want to say we think
M and T. B.
Dear M and T.B.,
Glad to hear your children are happily settled at school. There are good schools and inferior schools all over the world and I think here in
Dear Betsy,
I thought your column was called Ask Betsy (Agony Aunt) so that you could give advice to people or answer their questions in a kindly, understanding and highly evolved way. Not to dish out vitriol, nastiness and racism. I am referring to the letter from JWVG in the last issue of GulfWeekly.
Instead of answering the questions, you came up with some yourself that you did not answer. I personally believe that your intuition is wrong and you are just showing your racist attitude towards Americans, shame on you! You act so pious, but deep down I wonder how self aware you are of your own feelings and actions.
Just go and have a chat with the Bahraini gentlemen who work in the customs booth of the King Fahad Causeway and see what their opinion is of all the American, British, Lebanese, etc. people who are working in Saudi Arabia and travel back to their families in Bahrain.
Many of these people have gotten letters from their companies stating that they were working in Bahrain when in fact that is a lie. They still travel every day to work in Saudi. Their excuse is that it is too dangerous to live in the compounds in Saudi. Of course, they are happier to come here to drink, eat pork, sit by the pool all day and have the freedom to drive.
If you love Bahrain so much, you must realise that they are not contributing anything to Bahrain! They are just taking advantage of the situation to make their lives more comfortable. I seriously doubt that they are concerned about their children’s schooling as much as they claim.
It is too easy to get a CPR or residence card. I have a nephew who is Saudi, living in Saudi and he has a Bahraini CPR, for what reason I don’t know, but he certainly doesn’t live here or contribute in any way to Bahrain.
You put down the American School system, when all the letters are being written about the problems with the British school system in Bahrain. Since no one seems to be happy about it, it’s ironic you are supporting it by commenting on your “high standards” and how it compares with other school systems.
I have a question for you. Why DO so many people come here from Britain, especially to Bahrain? Can they not find work in Britain? What is it they really do here or have to offer? The only ones I see or hear about are the lame people like you and others who write banal, insipid articles that make me want to vomit half the time.
Yes, Bahrain is a welcoming, tolerant place, unlike England, I might add.
I wish you Eid Mubarak! Did you fast and participate in this holy month? I doubt it or you wouldn’t have written such a nasty letter. Well cheer up or should I say “cheers”. It’s time to get back to the drinking and partying that is contributing so much to the Bahraini economy.
Someone who cares deeply
about Bahrain, by email.
Dear SWCDAB,
Feel better now that you got that off your chest? That is what my column is for. You might not agree with everything you read here (in between vomiting) but it does provide a platform for readers to “get things off their chests” and help them feel better.
As for me being racist about Americans, those who know me and matter to me know this is untrue, especially my American friends. You, however, certainly don’t seem shy about revealing your attitude towards the British (shame on you!).
When I said I preferred the UK system, I spoke from personal experience as my two sons did not do well under the US system schools here and thrived when I moved them to a UK system school, and, although they found it much more challenging, they have achieved much more too.
Some British expats may well be drinking and partying in Bahrain this Eid but the hospitality industry will happily tell you that they are not the only ones … ask your friends in the customs booths how many nationals from other countries will be pouring over the Causeway to Bahrain this Eid, and every other holiday and weekend, to contribute eagerly and generously to this sector of Bahrain’s economy. You might not like it but all visitors to Bahrain contribute to the economy whether they visit for a weekend or stay for two years. They also help keep Causeway Customs Officials in jobs.
Dear Betsy,
In your reply to VIPA, Oct 10, you said: “… education is not just about exam results and not every child is a natural academic ...”
I have a son with mild autism and he could not get a suitable school here in Bahrain .He used to go to regular private school when he was in Abu Dhabi. As you said school needs to be inclusive to offer a truly rounded education.
SOS … can you help please?
Very Concerned Father.
Dear Very Concerned Father,
Isn’t it sad that schools in Abu Dhabi appear kinder, more inclusive and visionary enough to realise that mild autism is not ‘catching’ and won’t harm the other kids or make the teachers lives intolerable? I spoke to a teacher I know and respect, who works at a private school. I asked her for her opinion. She says she feels many schools won’t accept children like your son because they are worried that it will be extra work for the staff, disrupt classes and encourage a barrage of complaints from other parents who feel their kids’ education is suffering. She also feels that many schools use the excuse that they just don’t have the facilities to cope with special needs kids. I am sure other parents have faced this situation, so let’s ask them and any educators out there for their help and suggestions.
Dear Betsy,
We read your article entitled School places dilemma hots up in Bahrain dated September 26-October 2, 2007 in the GulfWeekly, with interest.
We have exciting news for you - there is a new private school in Bahrain scheduled to open in September, 2008.
Riffa Views International School, an independent, not-for-profit organisation, offers a college preparatory American education designed to promote the academic potential, multi-cultural understanding, and well-rounded aesthetic and physical development of every student.
The school will engage and guide students to become intellectually adept, technologically capable, culturally appreciative contributors to a global society.
Pats McWilliams,
Director of Admissions,
Riffa Views International School.
Dear Pats,
I hope you will bear in mind all our readers’ comments and ensure you have a fair, ethical, inclusive policy for your entrance tests and admissions criteria otherwise you may find yourself featured on this page again! Good luck with the school in what promises to be a beautiful development. I just wish they would hurry up and finish the new golf course!
BETSY SAYS RELAX...
Stay at home, pamper yourself, and don’t punish your body and soul by having to drive anywhere this weekend. If you need anything - get it delivered. If anybody needs to see you make them come to you or use the phone. Relax, after all you are going to need your strength to battle your way into work/school next week.
If you only do one thing this week
Go watch Ratatouille with your kids, it’s a great fun, family movie and we can all do with a good laugh. If you decide to take my “BETSY SAYS RELAX” advice instead then rent a good old-fashioned Disney DVD classic such as Bambi, Snow White, Jungle Book or The Aristocats. Relive those happy childhood moments.
