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GENDER MIXING SYNDROME

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According to a correspondent from BBC News Arabic, the following was reported: “In a step considered by some as an indication of Kuwait’s Islamization, Kuwait University announced the cancellation of gender mixing in classrooms, except when necessary.” Honestly, the controversy surrounding gender mixing in the university has become a syndrome, and it may have also evolved into a maze. This old-new issue has unfortunately turned into a political, social, and ideological dispute with various parties treating the university as their battleground. However, they seem to have overlooked the fact that the university is an independent institution with higher objectives to uphold. Moreover, the overall education system in Kuwait, both in government and private schools, falls short of desired standards, as evident from the inadequate Arabic language skills among graduates. These educational shortcomings, including excessive holidays, short school hours, and weak curricula, have been overshadowed by the ongoing debate on gender mixing. Surprisingly, many students do not view gender mixing as a significant concern. They want to graduate, and closing some classes and restricting them to certain groups causes a one-year delay in their graduation. I am talking here about students in their final year of university specialization, where subjects are interconnected. In other words, they register subject (A) first in order to be able to register for subject (B) afterwards, and some subjects are only available in the first semester, while the second part is only available in the second semester. Sometimes, the girls’ classes are full, and there are female students on the waiting list, while we find that the same subject is offered in the boys’ classes and half of the class capacity is empty. For the benefit of the students, these female students should be transferred to the boys’ classes to enable them to graduate, and vice versa. Additionally, the university needs a large number of professors to create completely separate departments, which entails enormous expenses and budgets. And of course, the honorable members of the parliament have no problem with spending such money. Putting aside the matter of classroom mixing, I have an intriguing question for the esteemed parliamentarians: What sets apart mixing inside classrooms from mixing outside them? The current uproar focuses on mixing within class settings, where both teachers and students are engrossed in their studies. However, it is worth noting that mixing occurs outside classrooms as well, continuing even after graduation when individuals enter the workforce, whether in the public or private sector. Should we anticipate laws that prohibit mixing in government ministries and establish separate ministries for men and women? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on segregating flights into women-only and men-only? Recently, a prominent religious figure expressed their viewpoint, emphasizing that our concern should be immodesty rather than mixing, as mixing in daily life is natural. After analyzing the underlying issues, I propose a solution that aims to satisfy all parties involved, but its success relies on two critical factors. Firstly, ensuring the university’s complete independence and shielding it from any political, social, or religious conflicts. Secondly, it necessitates respecting and valuing all students without questioning their morals or enforcing external control beyond the scope of their families and parents. I propose replacing the law prohibiting mixing with a comprehensive code of ethics and public behavior for Kuwait University. This code would be mutually agreed upon by all involved parties, aiming to safeguard the dignity of our students and shield them from any inappropriate actions. Simultaneously, it should uphold individual privacy and disciplined freedom. By strictly enforcing this code on everyone, the university would gain the respect and honor it deserves. Similarly, when purchasing tickets for events at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center, patrons must adhere to a code of conduct regarding attire, entry timings, and other guidelines. I recall an incident where my grandson was denied entry because he was wearing a dishdasha without a ghutra and egal, even though he was just 10 years old. As a result, I had to send the driver back home to fetch the appropriate accessories. Unfortunately, this caused us to miss part of the program, as we were only permitted to enter during the intermission. However, everyone complied without objections, emphasizing the need for simplicity. Therefore, I believe that resolving this issue is feasible by employing wisdom, commitment, and a moderate approach that avoids strictness or imposing guardianship from any party.

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