JEDDAH: Parents from girls’ elementary schools in Jeddah are complaining that students are suffering from a lack of transportation. They claim schools situated in neighborhoods with narrow or busy streets are worst affected.
Neighbors, shops and companies have also raised similar concerns. The parents say the lack of transport facilities leave them concerned for their children’s safety when walking on the streets.
“My husband leaves work to pick up our daughter from school by car. We don’t live that far away from the school and he takes twice the time as if she had just walked home, but I fear for her safety from fast cars in the neighborhood,” mother of three Um Abdullah said.
“This is the Jeddah municipality’s fault. They should see to it that car traffic around schools is organized and safe for schoolchildren. Most residential areas are crowded with parked vehicles from nearby companies or residents,” another parent said.
In 2006 the Ministry of Education proposed a private-public partnership to improve school transport. The idea was to secure private funding for school buses and parents would pay for their use. For unclear reasons, the Al-Ameen (Trustworthy) project faded into obscurity.
Parents have called on the ministry to improve school transport facilities, especially for girls’ schools, to protect pupils from the sun and help them avoid crossing dangerous roads.
Principals at girls’ schools in Jeddah have also asked the ministry to coordinate with traffic police to manage traffic around schools at busy periods. “There are those who might think private schools don’t suffer, but they do,” Principal Farida Farsi said. “That is why we urge parents to ask their driver to bring a nanny to walk their child safely to the car. But not everyone can afford a nanny.” She said there had to be a clear vision for school transportation, especially for girls.
She suggested schools could be relocated in more remote areas.
