RIYADH: Parents of high school girls have filed a complaint with the educational supervisory offices in Al-Nahda neighborhood in Riyadh because of a school principal who asked the girls to pay for their graduation dresses.

Riyadh Education Directorate spokesman Ali Al-Ghamdi said the department had directed the Al-Nahda supervisory office director to form a committee to investigate this matter. He confirmed to a local newspaper that the necessary steps would be taken against the principal if she is found to have violated regulations.

Parents said the principal upset the girls and their families when she asked for SR300 from each one. The girls and their families pointed out that this request has been made previously at intervals and no action has been taken against the principal.

Mishal Al-Otaibi, a parent, said the high school administration asked the girls to bring SR300 for their graduation dresses each school year.

He added that the money is not limited to graduation dresses, and some girls can’t afford to pay these sums. He said the principal was in violation of the system of the ministry when she asked for this money.

He alleged that some teachers asked the girls to pay SR30 for works related to the school building in return for giving them good marks in some subjects.

The girls’ parents said they had complained a few times to the supervisory office but had received no response and that the demands were a hardship to them.