As a result, the Civil Defense has, in conjunction with the Ministry of education, set elaborate plans in the event of heavy rain. Schools have also been instructed to implement emergency measures if it rains, said sources at the ministry.

Worried parents are closely following forecasts issued by the Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA).

Abdullah Al-Thaqafi, director of the Department of Education in Jeddah, said that all schools in the Jeddah region have taken precautionary measures to ensure the two-week examination period passes without incident.

“There are 260,000 intermediate and secondary school students attending exams in the city. Schools situated on valleys and along natural flood routes were shifted to safer regions at the end of last year. If there is heavy rain, there is a likelihood that examinations might be postponed,” he said.

Al-Thaqafi said the authorities concerned, in coordination with MEPA, have an emergency plan in case of rain. “The Department of Education has given all powers to school directors to take adequate measures to ensure the safety of students and enable them to reach home in the event of heavy downpour,” he said.

Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director general for girl’s education affairs, said the department has made arrangements to tackle any emergency situation. “Examinations will be rescheduled if there is rain,” he said.

Students across the Kingdom have been gearing up for exams with thorough revision. Some parents are so adamant that their children excel in their exams that they hire extortionately expensive private tutors to offer their children extra tuition.

“Final exams are like an alert to remind me that I have to study hard or else I’ll fail,” said Mariam Jalal, a 19-year-old student. “I usually lock my doors and don’t leave home so I can focus and ensure I don’t fail or get bad grades,” she added.

Many families push their children to revise and put extra pressure on them not to fail. “I hate exams because my mother pressures me to do well and says she’ll ground me if I don’t do so,” said Samah Talal, a 14-year-old high school student. “I’m usually forbidden to leave the house and have no access to the TV, the phone and friends at exam time. I have nothing else to do except study,” she added.

Many parents hire private tutors. “I depend on a teacher who comes to my house everyday during the exam period and helps me revise,” said Ali Al-Khaldy, an 18-year-old student. “When the tutor is gone, I’m free to do whatever I want because I make sure I know my stuff by the time he leaves,” he added.

The exam season is also a good time for private tutors to earn extra cash, said Ayman Mohammed, an Egyptian tutor. “We charge more during exams because students are desperate for our help. I sometimes work 16 hours a day going from one house to another helping students,” he said. “I make more money in those two weeks than I do in several months and I’m thankful for it because it’s good money,” he added.

Parents also become nervous when exams come and help their children revise. “I cannot stop thinking about my children’s homework and studies whenever exams draw near. I’m just too worried that they might not be prepared or become disappointed if they don’t do well,” said Elham Ismaeel, a housewife and mother.

“My husband and I are willing to stay up all night to help them with their studies and ensure they get good grades and do not fail,” she added.