RIYADH, 1 September 2003 — The American and British international schools in Riyadh have reported a drop in their student numbers as they reopen after the summer recess.
While the American International School, Riyadh (AISR) has seen a 15-20 percent fall in numbers, an estimated 300 students of the British international school, which reopens on Sept. 6, are not returning.
A spokesman of AISR told Arab News that for security reasons he would not go into the details of student numbers and the security arrangements the school made after the Riyadh bombings and the recent shootout. He would only confirm that security arrangements were beefed up.
The spokesman said new applicants were being registered for admission.
P.J. Bloomfield, the principal of the British International School, said that while it had been told that a number of parents wished to withdraw their children, a growing number of children were also seeking admission.
As for security arrangements, Bloomfield said all school buses would halt at designated points on the school premises. Most of the vans belong to the Al-Hamra Compound, where a majority of the teachers and students live. All the entrances are well protected, he said.
The Arab News correspondent and photographer also had to go through security checks both before and after entry into the school.
He said the school, which used to have between 900-1,000 students, might suffer a reduction of up to 300 students on the basis of the parents’ withdrawal notices. But he said there was a substantial number of new applicants, and the real picture would emerge only after the school reopens on Saturday.
The school has retained the majority of its teaching staff despite the terrorist attacks. Most continue to stay at the Al-Hamra Compound in spite of the damage it suffered in the attacks.
Bloomfield said there was a small number of dropouts among the teachers as well. “Yes, some have left because of the situation. But we hope things will return to normal in due course,” he added.
“We have appointed a security officer to look after security arrangements both at the school and the Al-Hamra Compound,” he added. The school, located close to the upscale residential complex, was damaged in the bombings on May 12. Details of security and other relevant information have been posted on the school’s website at www.britishschoolriyadh.com.
