Classroom Management Suggestions 

At Sultan Qaboos University and the CPS, the majority of students are Omani, with some coming from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and a few children of expatriate university faculty. Omani students come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from small mountain villages and Bedouin tribes to urban areas like Muscat and its suburbs. Both male and female students are admitted and study together in the same facilities and classrooms, though there is a conscious effort to maintain gender segregation. In classrooms, girls will naturally cluster together on one side and boys on the other. Campus architecture supports this segregation with separate corridors and designated elevators for women. 

DOs: 

• Be Friendly: Establish a friendly rapport with your students. While maintaining professionalism, be approachable and supportive. 

• Be Sensible: Understand what is considered appropriate behavior. Actions that are inappropriate in most Western nations between teacher and student are equally inappropriate here. 

• Respect Cultural Norms: Acknowledge and respect the natural gender segregation in classrooms. Allow girls and boys to sit separately if they prefer and avoid forcing mixed seating arrangements. 

DO NOTs: 

• Force Mixing: Do not force girls and boys to sit together or mix in small groups for learning tasks. This can make them uncomfortable and may have negative consequences. 

• Fraternize Alone: Avoid being alone with students of the opposite sex. Group interactions with several teachers and students are more acceptable. Male teachers, especially, should be respectful of Omani female students. It is customary for female students to meet in pairs with a male teacher. 

• Inappropriate Meetings: Avoid meeting female students alone in your office or classroom after class unless it is for official purposes and within acceptable boundaries. 

Handling Student Concerns: 

• If a student has a concern about a course or a teacher that cannot be resolved by the teacher, Course Leader, or Head of Department (HOD), it is usually addressed by the Student Affairs Officer. The Student Affairs Officer may mediate between the student and the teacher to resolve the issue. 

By following these guidelines, you can create a respectful and productive learning environment that honors cultural norms and promotes positive interactions between faculty and students.