Marvin
Absolutely, there is a lot of truth in what you said. The more people know, the less they can communicate as humans, and I have observed this first hand
My wife keeps bugging me about my colleagues who can barely speak. You want another very funny example? Watch Big Bang Theory!

Amino
First of all, welcome back
Second, you're absolutely right, it's becoming less and less of a goal and more of a means. And that by its definition sucks!
But I don't agree with you on Tawjihi. In fact, I think it's the only good thing remaining in all of our education system, we should keep it and possibly make it every year instead of at the end of 12 years. It's really good and I've seen the good results that come from it.
Many people who failed Tawjihi, will complain about it. Many people who succeeded JUST to get in a decent school will criticize it. But I'm sure the vast majority has benefited from it. It's the only step in the education system that makes students take education seriously. And we shouldn't miss on an opportunity like this.
But what comes after it is what counts. How we direct our future


Ahmad,
Thanks ahead, but I beg to differ. I've seen the education system in the Arab world and in the west and I can tell you with great authority that what you said is a common misconception in the Arab world
Arab students come to the US and kick serious ass because they're better prepared. They might not have all the language skills but in science, math they excel like there is no tomorrow! Statistics prove it beyond any shadow of a doubt. So what happens? Why do we get so good up to a point, and then everything appears to fizzle away?
Another thing is that the static sciences haven't changed since... oh god knows how long. But at least a 100 years. So there isn't really anything that warrants changing what students learn. The average twjihi Student knows better than 2nd year collage here in the US. Because these static sciences never change. Math is the same, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry ...etc. At school levels, these have not changed.
I remember taking Atomic physics in high school, and material that would only appear in post graduate books. It was fun to read and understand. But most students thought it was a waste of time. I still remember the subjects. And I still remember how fascinating fission, and fusion were to me when I was in 10th or 11th grade! Guess what, 10 years before that, my sister explained them to me as well. So they have been there for a long time.

So for tawjihi, I don't agree with you. But after that, I completely agree with what you said. The professors (who mostly graduated from universities abroad) just don't seem to care. And with no drive towards research in anyway. It becomes even worse.

I think the issue is social more than curricular. We need to reshape the way we think. The way our students think. That's the bottom line

That's not what I meant. I am actually celebrating people who are pursuing their education out of a genuine desire to achieve. That is a goal. The people I'm talking about are the people who are just taking all of this as a method to achieve better social status without really "getting an education" in the process.
And I agree, a degree is -supposed to- broaden the way we think. But that's for people who are really interested in learning. I think you might have misunderstood me.

I can understand your frustration and anger about this matter. Hell I'm furious about this. We have all been denouncing and standing against such labeling of murder as "honor", there's absolutely no honor in it, but shame and dishonor. Not only for the murderers, but for the whole system that has provisions to allow people to escape with murder like that. No worse, emerge as saviors, and heroes.
I have talked about this very subject many times over and I believe the Queen has taken many steps to try and fix this horrible situation. But we need more. We certainly need to abolish this barbaric tribal ritual. So I hear you, and I call for action from everyone.
It will take more than Royal decree to change people's mentalities.