JEDDAH: Students at government schools in the east and west of Riyadh have been told to bring their lunches from home because school canteens are not operational.

The schools have not signed contracts with suppliers. Some provided their students with water, juices and light food. Several students went home without having eaten, an online paper said on Tuesday.

Some of the schools sent text messages to parents and guardians informing them that their canteens were not open and that their children should bring their lunches from home.

The publication reported that some schools opened their canteens but were only able to provide unrefrigerated water and juices because the items had been stored in rooms without air conditioners.

Several parents criticized the schools, saying that they had enough time to sign contracts with suppliers. The Education Ministry reportedly confirmed that contracts have not been signed but that suppliers have been identified.

Meanwhile, an intermediate school and two primary schools are sharing one building because their new facilities have not been completed on time by a contractor.

Mujahid bin Abi Jabar School in Al-Yasmin area of Riyadh is accommodating the students of the three schools. The primary classes are being held in the morning and those of the middle school in the evening.

Some students and parents were angry when they received text messages from the administration on Friday that under the instructions of Al-Raed education administration, their classes would be held in the evening.

They complained that they had not been given enough time to make alternate transport arrangements for their children in the evenings. Ali Al-Ghamdi, director of media at the Riyadh education department, said that the contractors would complete the building after Haj.