TAIF: Teachers in Taif hope to see an end to children fighting each other according to their tribal affiliations when the schools reopen after the summer recess.
There were many incidents of “tribal” fights in Taif’s schools last year. Most schoolteachers agree that tension was high last year and believe there is no end in sight to the problem. Many of them attribute the situation to the absence of stiff punishment.
One of the most serious fights that happened last year was at a school in Bujanoub, a town in the southern part of the Taif governorate.
The fight, which was between two tribal groups, was a sequel to a brawl that took place two weeks earlier.
Tensions were on a high prior to the fight with the school authorities failing to take action in bringing the problem to an end. In the ensuing fracas, cars parked in front of the school were vandalized.
In another incident, more than 130 students belonging to two different tribes fought a pitched battle inside a high school in Taif city. The fight began over something minor and soon snowballed into becoming a major riot with the school administration failing to intervene.
Although no one was seriously injured, the two incidents highlight the need for serious steps in bringing the problem to an end.
Sultan Al-Otaibi, a middle school teacher in Taif, said the number of violent incidents in schools that go unreported in the press is greater than the ones that are reported. “There is something seriously wrong. Police do respond in some cases and detain those involved. However, the violence starts again when those students are released,” he said.
Abdullah Al-Dubyani, a high school teacher, said students arrested in fights are held for a short period and then released after signing an undertaking that they will not fight again. “This is not enough,” he said.
Another teacher, who did not want his name published for fear of a backlash, said police who come from tribal backgrounds contribute to escalating the problem. “Students who fight other students or attack teachers are often related to police officers who will work on their connections to get them released,” he said.
He said the easiest solution is to bring in police officers from other regions to tackle the issue.
Muhammad Abu Ras, head of the Education Department in Taif, said there are 780 middle and high schools in the area. Abu Ras blames the problems on families that give importance to tribal dignity. “The problem lies with parents teaching their kids tribalism and hatred. Instead of teaching them love and respect they encourage them to esteem tribal affiliations,” he said.
Turki Al-Shehri, official spokesman for Taif police, said violence in schools is a criminal act. “It isn’t presently a large problem. Families should cooperate with police in bringing this problem to an end. The Education Department also works hard in creating awareness to eliminate the problem,” he added.
