Question

1. Explain the barriers to education women had in Oman’s society before 1970? What were the ethical factors that contributed to these Barriers?

                                           (minimum. 150 words – 3 marks)

Answer 1

The barriers to education that women had in Oman before 1970 are as follows:

1) For a long period of time prior to 1970s, the Islamic way of life kept women in a burqa - all-enveloping cloak revealing only her hands and feet

2) Omani women prior to 1970 were very simple and were held responsible to take care of customs & traditions inherited from ancestors.

3) They were bonded to the house & household works, nurturing & caring for their children and cooking food for the family.

4) Women have always been seen as a wife and mother first and foremost.

5) Post marriage, most of the decisions were made by the husband, who was reluctant to send women to school or for education. Men did not appreciate their work and never encouraged them for pursuing education.

6) Most girls get married around the time they reach puberty, thereby preventing them to get basic education.

7) There were long distances between population densities, that kept women & girls away from education

8) Difficulty in providing infrastructure in forms of roads & electricity due to rough terrain that would mobilize people

9) People were not able to deal with the complexity of everyday life that included the ability to analyze and solve problems and being flexible, accommodative, and self-directed

10) The teachers were limited and those who existed had little training in pedagogical practices. They never popularized women's education among men.