JEDDAH, 12 June — Angry over a decision by the authorities to cut the duration of their annual vacation from three months to two, women teachers working under the General Presidency of Girls Education allege that the presidency continues to put additional pressure on them.
Many teachers say that the presidency is working without any set plans. “We will submit a petition to the GPGE and we hope it will be read,” said Radheeyah Abdullah, an Arabic teacher.
The presidency ordered teachers to work until June 18 even though the examinations were over and certificates handed to students by June 6.
“I would like to know why we are asked to report until June 18,” said Najwa Al-Salhi, a teacher in Makkah. “The presidency knows for sure that there are no students attending the school and obviously no parent would come to ask about their children.”
The decision had caused many teachers to become wary. “They arrive late at school and leave early, that is of course if they ever come to report during these two weeks,” she said.
“It is all very odd; we come to school in the morning and sit there doing nothing but chat until noon while we should be enjoying our vacation,” said Al-Salhi.
Habeeb Al-Harbi, a GPGE official, said they have asked the teachers to attend to make sure they complete all unfinished work. “If parents would want to recheck their children’s results, they would find someone to answer,” said Al-Harbi.
However, Radheeyah said parents had had two weeks to visit the school; they could have checked and rechecked on whatever they wanted. “If a parent did not have time during those two weeks, we should not be punished by being asked to come to school for them,” said Radheeyah.
Wafa Al-Marzoogi, a teacher at Dubayah — 150 km north Jeddah — said she was to miss her sister-in-law’s wedding because of the new work schedule. The teachers wonder what exactly the presidency wants from them.
