RIYADH: A number of schools could not participate in an exhibition to mark World Day of the Arabic language here because of the fee charged by the Qurtuba District Education Office for using the premises.

The principals of these schools refused to pay and participate in the exhibition citing various reasons, local media reported Saturday.

The officials at the education office in the district directed that each participating school pay SR2,000. About 20 elementary and intermediate schools participated in the exhibition.

School principals said the education office has no right to collect fee as the exhibition represents the efforts and works of students and schools.

The principal of a school, who preferred anonymity, said: “This is a strange way to impose fees on schools. Such exhibitions are regarded as the ultimate efforts of the educational activities and competitions by introducing distinguished and innovative participation through students and their schools.”

Another principal sent a text message to a local publication, stating: “Qurtuba District Education Office forced us to pay SR2,000 for participating in the educational exhibition held at Ibn Al-Nafees High School in Almounisiyah neighborhood.”

A number of other schools refused to participate in the event due to their limited operational budgets.