RIYADH: The education department in Jazan has dismissed a school principal for allowing a student to go with his mentally-ill father who murdered the child before reaching home.

The head prefect of the school was also sacked for helping the suspect in getting the child out of school.

The education department is, however, gearing up to honor the principal of another school and her deputy for not giving permission to the same man to take his daughter, local media reported on Thursday.

The incident happened in the Ahad Al-Masarihah governorate of Jazan region last week, and the suspect has been arrested.

The man, who had earlier been convicted of his uncle's murder, was released from jail following the payment of blood money (diyah) to the next of kin of the deceased.

The suspect picked up his 10-year-old son, Abdullah Al-Suwaidi, from school after taking permission from the principal. As soon as they approached their home, he stabbed the child to death.

According to the residents of the area, the man's behavior had amply proved that he was mentally ill.

According to the report, the man, after picking his son up from the school, went to a nearby girls’ school where his daughter studies. However, Laila Al-Qahtani, the school principal, refused permission because she knew the mental state of the father.

The education department is making arrangements to honor Al-Qahtani and also Fatma Fallat, the deputy principal of the school, for their wise decision.