JEDDAH: At this time every year, schools prepare for graduation. The names of graduates are announced and outstanding students are honored and schools put the final touches on graduation ceremonies.
Female graduates usually celebrate in the presence of their mothers and colleagues, but a secondary school in Dammam has stipulated that guests, excluding mothers, should buy tickets.
This angered the graduates who were surprised at the decision, especially since education directorates had warned against any extra fees for students, and since they had already paid other fees for graduation.
“The school asked for money to prepare graduation gowns and other things,” one graduate said. “The school returned the gown fees after they made a deal with a tailor shop and asked us to pay the money directly to the shop. We were surprised a few days before the ceremony when we received only one ticket for our mothers. Those who wanted to invite their sisters or friends had to pay SR100 for each ticket. Many girls bought the tickets but on the day of the ceremony, the ticket were not asked for and many got in without tickets.”
Saeed Al-Bahis, spokesman for Eastern Province Education Department, said the general education directorate in the area had stressed to all educational offices and schools to abide by the regulations for school celebrations and refrain from putting additional expenses on students and their families.
He pointed out that this directive arose from the directorate’s concerns for students and to make sure that schools implement the rules and regulations in this regard.
He said the mechanism for regulating school celebrations include the following: “The party should not violate Shariah; should increase loyalty to the king and the nation during the celebration; schools shouldn’t put extra financial pressure on students and their families and should give the authority to the school leader to choose the time and place of the celebration on condition that it takes place during the last weeks of the second school semester after obtaining the agreement of the general education directorate. The end-of-school ceremonies should be listed in the annual school plan and limit participation to educational employees, on condition that it doesn’t obstruct school days and that safety and security regulations are followed.”
Female graduates usually celebrate in the presence of their mothers and colleagues, but a secondary school in Dammam has stipulated that guests, excluding mothers, should buy tickets.
This angered the graduates who were surprised at the decision, especially since education directorates had warned against any extra fees for students, and since they had already paid other fees for graduation.
“The school asked for money to prepare graduation gowns and other things,” one graduate said. “The school returned the gown fees after they made a deal with a tailor shop and asked us to pay the money directly to the shop. We were surprised a few days before the ceremony when we received only one ticket for our mothers. Those who wanted to invite their sisters or friends had to pay SR100 for each ticket. Many girls bought the tickets but on the day of the ceremony, the ticket were not asked for and many got in without tickets.”
Saeed Al-Bahis, spokesman for Eastern Province Education Department, said the general education directorate in the area had stressed to all educational offices and schools to abide by the regulations for school celebrations and refrain from putting additional expenses on students and their families.
He pointed out that this directive arose from the directorate’s concerns for students and to make sure that schools implement the rules and regulations in this regard.
He said the mechanism for regulating school celebrations include the following: “The party should not violate Shariah; should increase loyalty to the king and the nation during the celebration; schools shouldn’t put extra financial pressure on students and their families and should give the authority to the school leader to choose the time and place of the celebration on condition that it takes place during the last weeks of the second school semester after obtaining the agreement of the general education directorate. The end-of-school ceremonies should be listed in the annual school plan and limit participation to educational employees, on condition that it doesn’t obstruct school days and that safety and security regulations are followed.”
