MAKKAH: Over two million students at kindergartens and elementary schools across Saudi Arabia began the new academic year on Saturday amidst tight preventive measures against swine flu. Intermediate and secondary school students began their studies a week earlier with no confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus reported so far.
With cases of swine flu reported in various parts of the Kingdom, the ministries of health and education were keen to take all necessary measures to protect more than five million students against the pandemic.
Large quantities of posters, pamphlets and booklets have been distributed in schools informing students how to protect themselves against swine flu. Quarantine rooms complete with medical equipment and medicine have been set up in each school for suspected cases.
Schools were keen to avoid disruption on the first day of studies. However, teachers were keen to teach students about the importance of cleanliness and supplied them with means of protecting themselves.
The Ministry of Education has asked the directors of various departments to remain in constant contact with school administrators from day one to ensure all arrangements have been made to protect students against swine flu.
Principal of Abdul Rahman Faqeeh’s Makkah schools Nasser Mahana Al-Bahyawi said sterilizers, masks, thermometers and seclusion rooms were just some of the equipment available to protect students.
He denied any change in class schedules and said things were running normally as in previous years. He added student attendance was excellent.
Al-Bahyawi also asked parents to cooperate fully with the schools with regard to the health and in particular nutrition of their children in order to boost their immune systems.
Many parents who were present in schools during the first day of studies said they were satisfied by the measures taken against the H1N1 virus and stressed they were not afraid to send their children especially as no cases of swine flu had been reported among intermediate and secondary school students.
A total of 1,100 teachers from various schools in Makkah have been trained about protection against swine flu in 23 training centers in the holy city. They will in turn train their colleagues.
