JEDDAH, 29 September — The Indian community here has expressed its shock at the statements issued by Indian Embassy officials in Riyadh concerning the embassy’s “uncalled for” role in the day-to-day functioning of community schools.
The chairman and one of the Managing Committee members of the International Indian School, Jeddah, have already tendered their resignations, citing meddling from Riyadh as one of the reasons for their decision to quit.
“It is the Saudi Ministry of Education that has empowered us to elect our own managing committees to run our own schools through our own elected representatives,” said Salah Karadan of the Indian School Parents Forum (ISPAF). “We are deeply saddened by the postponement of the Inter-School Sports Activity or Cluster Meet, as it was popularly called, on flimsy grounds at the behest of some Indian Embassy officials.”
Karadan’s views were echoed by T. Assainar, K.M. Abdulmajeed, P.M. Amir Ali and Usman Irumbuzhi, who all felt that the interests of children should not have been sacrificed in the continuing battle between the elected Managing Committee and the Indian Embassy.
Addressing a conference of principals in Riyadh on Wednesday, Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad categorically stated that the embassy would be “actively engaged” in school affairs and that “it would not wash its hands off the schools.”
This was opposed by an overwhelming majority of parents, who feel that the embassy was trying to take complete control of all community schools.
“We don’t get any financial aid from the embassy or anybody for that matter. It is our money which helps the committee run the schools. Give the parents and their elected representatives a free hand. If the Managing Committee is divided and if there are allegations of misappropriation of funds, let the Education Ministry handle them. They are an appropriate authority. Why should the embassy fish in troubled waters?” asked Muhammad Abdul Baseer.
However, Sultan Mazharuddin said he had no problem with the embassy interfering in the school affairs.
“But that interference should be for the good of the school. Not just for canceling out all the good decisions made by the Managing Committee,” he said, and added that the embassy and the Managing Committee should not be on a collision course. He felt that all outstanding issues should be resolved amicably, as the interests of the students were at stake.