DAMMAM, 17 September 2006 — The new school session brought no solace to the already suffering students and teachers at the International Indian School, Dammmam, (IISD).
After facing an onslaught of sand and dust after moving into the half-finished building in April, air-conditioning is causing problems to the point of being nonfunctional on occasions.
“We now realized how Robinson Crusoe felt marooned on the island left to face the elements of nature,” said a teacher at the school.
“I wonder why the chairman insisted on shifting when the committee had met only a day earlier and decided to shift only when things are ready,” said a member of the managing committee.
The new building has been mired in controversy ever since land was finalized. Shifting to the new premises was a bone of contention amongst the decision-makers and the managing committee was split over the issue.
“We are in touch with the contractor and are trying to see where is the problem,” said Chairman Dr. Mumtaz Ali. However, no one is willing to confirm when and how the problem will be resolved.
There was widespread discontent among the students and teachers as the building was far from being ready. It is alleged that a combination of dust and sand has caused many children to fall sick.
“Should no one be held accountable for this fiasco? This is nothing short of criminal negligence and I appeal to the ambassador, that the concerned people should be held accountable,” said an angry parent.
The handing over of the school building was also delayed by almost a year and the managing committee has not utilized the penalty clause in the contract whereby they stand to lose a SR3 million. It may be noted that the school ran into losses in the last financial year.
Arab News learned that the coordinator of the building committee has not even taken the basic clearance certificates from the local government authorities. This means that trouble can come unannounced, any time.