Community schools told not to panic

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From: Asghar Khan <asgharkhan123@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 2, 2013 at 2:37 AM
Subject: [HyderabadisInKSA] Community schools told not to panic
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Community schools told not to panic

RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Last Update 2 April 2013 2:20 am

The Ministry of Education said yesterday that there is no need to panic about rumors of sudden inspection under the Nitaqat program in international community schools.

A few private international schools in the capital voluntarily closed down their institutions until Saturday without reason. These schools reopened only on Saturday following the spring break and authorities did not indicate reasons for the closure.

Rumors circulated in the city that some private international schools were closed down due to ongoing raids conducted by the authorities under the Nitaqat program.

The management of various schools were alarmed when raids by labor inspectors were reported in several parts of the country well before the deadline given to small and medium enterprises to correct their Nitaqat status. 
Authorities in the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh were told not to panic over these rumors and to operate as usual. Accordingly, the school principal has sent an SMS message to all parents that the school will continue to operate as usual. 

Sources from the Ministry of Education explained that there are two categories of schools that come under the international section of the Ministry of Education. These include community schools and private schools owned by locals. 

The sources have said that the ministry has repeatedly warned these schools to regularize their staff and that those who have not done so will face government action.

Rumors spread that authorities would raid schools to ensure that the members of the tutorial staff are sponsored by the institution. 

Sources have said that the Ministry of Education has nothing to do with them. 

Schools that have already been closed included Future Windows (primary section only) , Learning Overseas, the Middle East International School (female and French sections) and recently, the International Indian Public School . 

Teachers in most of the international schools are housewives and do not come under the sponsorship of the school authorities. According to the Kingdom's laws, those on visit visas and those who are on dependent visas are not allowed to work. 

Arab News learned that the schools that have suspended sessions will meet authorities to sort out existing staff problems related to the sponsorship of their teachers.

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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit