Abdul Latif Matar Al-Harbi alleged that he had been disqualified to take up the job due to his disability even though he passed the qualifying test and interview, Al-Watan newspaper reported.

The petitioner complained that he had been barred from appointment on the pretext of his shortness, inability to stand up for a long time and visual impairment.

“There is no provision in the Civil Service Law to deny educational jobs to qualified applicants with special needs. On the other hand, there is a provision to encourage this section of people while giving appointment,” Al-Harbi pointed out in the petition.

According to Al-Harbi, he is capable of doing the job physically and mentally.

“I am a holder of a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Shariah at Al-Qassim University. I have also secured certificate in Braille from Al-Amal Institute,” Al-Harbi, father of two, said in the petition.

The local education department has testified in the court that the criteria of the Ministry of Education for appointing teachers are passing the qualifying test conducted by the National Evaluation Center and a personal interview. It noted that any physical disability or disease is not the reason to deny any teaching job.

Referring to denial of job for Al-Harbi, the education official informed the court that the decision was based on the report presented by a medical panel.

The two-member panel came to the conclusion that in addition to his visual impairment, the applicant has physical shortness to an extreme extent and hence he is not in a condition to stand up for a long time, which is a prerequisite for undertaking teaching jobs.