What’s meant by globalization?  Globalization has numerous concepts and there is no consensus on its definition. Some are of the opinion that globalization is linked to the economy and the capitalist system’s economic hegemony as is exemplified by the US hegemony in the world. Others view globalization as a broad renewal concept with economic, political, social and cultural dimensions. The latter view makes the geographical dimension less effective with the technological advances in the communications sphere, market economy and globalization of production through multi-national companies.(1)

The term “globalization” was widely referred to in the Arabic language in the late years of the 20th century (1990s), aided by the modern communications and information revolution. I have selected the following definition given by those who wrote about globalization: “the interlacing of the national with the international politically, economically, socially and culturally, leading to the erosion of boarders”.(2)

The emergence of the term “globalization”:

The term globalization was widely used in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the term has been known for five centuries. It was used at the tale end of the 15th century in the aftermath of the geographical discoveries and the increased exchange of goods among nations.(3)

Education and globalization:

The challenges facing education have increased in this modern era. Education is no longer provided at home or in the school. It is being provided at the universities, education and cultural centers. Globalization has not only overshadowed the role of education but also peoples’ national identity.

Many peoples and states are now aware of the risk of globalization and its negative impact on their cultures and identities. Being conscious of the globalization advocated by the US and the political and media elites in Washington, a conference was held in Ottawa, Canada, in 1998. Attended by 22 ministers of culture, it warned of the risks of a US invasion of world youths’ minds, stressing the need to preserve local cultures.

Aware of globalization’s effects on peoples and governments’ potentials, Former French President Jacque Chirac said in a speech on July 14, 2000 marking the French national day that:

“Globalization needs to be controlled, as it spawns serious social conditions. Although it is an element of progress, it poses serious threats, including: increasing social elimination, escalating international crime and threatening our economic systems”.

Worthy of note is that the gravest threat mentioned by Chirac is the social impact which affects education, language and identity.

Peoples possessing great civilizations, religious heritage and cultural constants are capable of weathering the threats posed by globalization. But peoples who are weak religiously, economically and militarily are less able to confront the cultural globalization.(5)

Education in developing nations is a serious problem in the era of globalization. Focusing on quantity rather than quality, it churns out large numbers of school and university graduates. This in turn leads to subordination and the search for easy jobs. Therefore, schools and universities should employ teachers who truly belong to the profession. They should be highly qualified and able to keep abreast of progress. The syllabus should be correctly prepared and compatible with Islamic teachings and peoples’ sense of national belonging. This is in addition to the need to confront hostile intellectual trends and encourage scientific research to achieve progress and development.(6)

Education vs. globalization:

Mindful of the side effects of globalization, we should stand up for its challenges, ensuring that education should be based on the following pillars:

-Deepening identity and the sense of belonging by strictly adhering to Islam’s vision of mankind, the universe and life. Youngsters must be practically brought up according to the Islamic faith, linking Islam’s teachings and values with social life.

-Raising the youth to be socially responsible, stressing the role of the individual in the society in order to be productive and sharing in making the society’s future.

-Giving attention to the Arabic language: preserving the language is a religious and national duty as it is the language of the Holy Quran and the language of the Arab peoples. Language is essential for peoples’ cohesion.

-Upbringing according to Shoura approach:

Allah Al-Mighty said: ‘And consult them in the affairs’

“Upbringing the youth according to Shoura approach is essential for creativity and excellence. It is diagonally opposed to arrogance, high-handedness and oppression. Therefore, it should be applied in kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities.

-Upbringing to be successful in life: the education system provides the human-being with knowledge and various skills, helping him to select a suitable profession after leaving school.

-Upbringing to achieve creativity: despite the huge scientific and technological advances, the human mind is the cornerstone for all that. Consequently, we have to pay attention to individuals, especially talented people, and provide the suitable environment for them.

-Syllabuses: we should pay attention to the syllabuses and strive to develop them. They should be based on the Islamic principles, taking scientific changes into account. We should closely monitor foreign schools and education centers in our countries to ensure that their syllabuses are in conformity with the principles of Islam and the values of our peoples.

-Upbringing to adopt scientific research: individuals should be guided to adopt scientific research, particularly applicable research.

Challenges:

Challenges facing educationists in their battle with globalization include:

-Huge scientific and technological advances as well as enhancing scientific knowhow.

-The domination of material forces over spiritual aspects, and the resulting imbalance between them.

-Mammoth and speedy change in specialist work in the field of production and services.

-Breach of peoples’ cultural security.

-Striving to instill US capitalist values and traditions in world’s youth, including Arab youth. This will make them lose confidence in their own traditions, adopting alien habits.

-Spiraling education costs (for government and families alike), forcing families to have second thoughts about educating their children, particularly as are they saddled with spending on other family requirements.

-Peoples’ immigration, particularly foreign immigrants with different cultures and traditions.(8)

Positive impact of globalization:

Globalization positive effects aside, we have to admit that it has the following positive aspects:

-The immense spread of means of communications, including satellites and the internet.

-Contribution to scientific advances and a torrent of inventions.(9)

Globalization’s negative impact:

-Weakening education philosophy dimension and its objectives, ultimately changing syllabuses and education methods.

-Interfering with education decisions and imposing numerous trends under various human rights names.

-Including in the school syllabuses different concepts for the political and social aspects such as human rights, democracy and specific philosophies incompatible with peoples’ philosophies.

-Hiking education costs, piling pressure on state and family resources, forcing some families to have second thoughts on educating their children and ultimately spreading cultural illiteracy.

-A marked change in education methods and tools.

-Increasing numbers of foreign schools, centers, colleges and universities, visibly changing individual’s traditions.

-Gradual loss of confidence, weakening the sense of national belongings.(10)

How could education stand up to globalization?

To overcome the tide of globalization we need the following:

-Raising peoples’ standard of living and fighting ignorance, illiteracy and injustice.

-True investment of economic and social resources.

-Sound planning to avoid globalization’s negative aspects and benefit from its positive elements.

-Striving to expand education and spread knowledge through various media forms, schools, education centers, college and universities.(11)

Conclusion:

Globalization is a subversive onslaught as well as social, economic, intellectual and cultural invasion. It transcends borders and natural barriers despite the huge advances in means of communications.

The following steps should be taken to confront the threat posed to education:

-Abiding by Islam: raising our children according’ to the principles of Islam. We should be role models for them, correctly propagating Islam.

-Adherence to our heritage, traditions and values.

-Sincere media in line with Islamic principles and the national security of developing and poor nations.

-Adequate preparation of teachers stressing the education role to bring home to students the positive and negative aspects of globalization.

-Enlightening the Arab and Muslim family about positive and negative effects of globalization.

Mohammad Mustafa Abdul Razzag Al-Omari