A father who failed to gain admission for his daughter at a school near his house threatened to commit suicide by jumping off the building housing Riyadh’s Department of Education.
The 60-year-old man was, however, eventually persuaded to give up his threat by department officials and security guards after lengthy negotiations.
Muhammad Al-Dhukhaini, a spokesman at the Ministry of Education, said that “A school cannot exceed its maximum capacity for admission, as this will affect the quality of education.”
“Saudis have a right to public education and pupils typically enjoy the advantage of being admitted to schools nearest to their homes. Parents, nevertheless, cannot go about choosing the school they will send their children to, as this is subject to availability,” Al-Dhukhaini said, adding that these issues can be addressed by admission committees at regional education departments.
Man threatens suicide over daughter’s rejection
