JEDDAH, 23 May 2004 — Violence is on the increase in schools throughout the Kingdom, with some students using weapons against other students, teachers and property, sources here said. In several recently reported incidents students and teachers were attacked inside and outside the school grounds or had their cars damaged or burned.
“We see students going out in groups and forming gangs,” high-school student Saleh Al-Ghamdi said. “If they see something they don’t like, they take care of it outside of school. Some students even take revenge against their teachers.”
“The most common weapons used inside schools are pocket knifes and small metal shanks. Most of the time students just use them to scare other students — they don’t really attack,” Saleh added.
“Students these days do not respect their teachers like they used to,” a high-school teacher complained. “There are teachers who are afraid of students. A teacher who is hard on his students faces threats and often finds his car is damaged or stolen.”
“In Taif, a student was killed when another one shot him after school,” he said. “Since when did students need to carry weapons?”
“This is a serious problem that concerns parents, the Ministry of Education, teachers and school administrations. We have to work together to solve it,” he added.
