DAMMAM, 22 May 2003 — Confusion prevails among the students of the three schools run by International Schools Group which have been closed due to security reasons.
In the aftermath of the Riyadh explosions, the expatriate schools — Dhahran Academy, Rahima Academy and the British School — were closed. On Tuesday, the ISG board of trustees decided to start the summer vacation and close the schools until they have reviewed the situation. Each student was individually informed by telephone that the “current academic session has ended and the students will be informed on Friday about the date for the return of the books and assignments.”
The board of trustees also decided to cancel the graduation ceremony.
Parents and students are concerned over the methodology by which the schools will decide the academic results of the fourth term.
In a meeting with students last week, the teachers discussed the security concerns in view of the terrorist threat and informed the students that if it was decided to close down the schools, they would be evaluated on the basis of their assignments and previous examinations. However, assignments have also been dropped, and it appears that the students will now be evaluated purely on the basis of their previous performance in class.
The ISG, despite the security concerns, has reminded students to clear their fees and return books. Teachers are also required to report till Monday to prepare the results.
No member of the management was available to clarify the situation. A call to Dhahran Academy and Rahima Academy went unanswered and at one school there was a recorded message to “try this number later.” The cellular phone of the principal of one of the schools was also switched off.
Rumors are rife among the expatriates about the fate of these schools. A general rumor among the Eastern Province expatriates is that these schools have been closed for good, and this rumor has led many parents to rethink their children’s education. Many parents say that they are thinking of sending their children back home to pursue their studies.
Meanwhile, other expat schools as well as Saudi schools are functioning normally in the Eastern Province, and there are no security concerns among the parents or the management. The International Indian School, which has more than 9,000 students, is following its normal schedule and moving ahead with its calendar.
Other expatriate schools like the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Philippine and more than two dozen private schools are also functioning normally.
“We will follow our schedule and function as usual. We have complete faith in Saudi security, and our children and parents do not feel threatened,” said Humayun Muzaffar, director of Asia International School.
