This is with reference to the article by Fahad Alqurashi “A mid-semester’s nightmare” (April 7).

I think teachers and students need a break in the middle of quite a long term, to relax and recharge their batteries. As the break only lasts for 10 days I fail to understand why parents and teachers do not exert any self-control and sleep reasonable hours over this relatively short period. I know many Saudi families who do this but I also know some who have their children in bed by 7 p.m. on a school night and no later than 9 p.m. during vacations or holidays. The drop in attendance at Saudi schools the first few days after any break is abysmal. If this country wants to be productive and healthy then sleep is a very important part of a good health program. — Fiona M. McCreadie, Riyadh