Experts have expressed concern over the reported rise in the number of school students carrying cold weapons such as knives and daggers, and warned that the practice should be curbed by parents and school authorities as the same may result in violence and bloodshed over trivial reasons.

Saleh Abu Awad, faculty member at King Khaled University, said students with cold weapons or white arms on them in schools cannot be taken lying down. “The trend only points to the spread of violent tendencies among students and crimes can happen for trivial reasons.”

He urged families and school administrations to unite and curb the practice by strengthening the supervision and control on students.

Ali Al-Shaabi, supervisor at the National Human Rights Society in Asir, emphasized on the need for enacting severe punishment to any person caught with white arms.

Al-Shaabi called on social organizations to find solutions to the problem and also launch awareness campaigns. He said the security authorities should also participate in the efforts to eliminate the spread of white arms among students.

Hadi Al-Yami, head of the HRC's Asir branch, said teachers are making all efforts possible to contain clashes and quarrels among students. “Many of these efforts unfortunately fail,” he said, urging families to reject the culture of violence and bring up children on the principles of tolerance and forgiveness.

Mohammad Al-Ahthal, an instructor in personality development, said students possessing white arms is not new in our society, as many families encourage their children to carry weapons to respond to violent acts with violence, regarding it as a manly behavior.

A parent of one student demanded activating the role of social and psychological specialists to correct any behavioral malfunction.

Saleh Al-Diwani, a writer, said there are outreach programs to promote and enhance the religious values in accordance with the Prophet’s (PBUH) methodology, and to instill the principles and values of national loyalty and maintain the assets of the country.

“There are also other programs that reject the culture of violence,” he added.

Mishaal Al-Shahrani, an educational supervisor called on the family and school to instill the principles of virtue in students from an early age, and to promote the values of patience and understanding in them. He dismissed the notion that the environment in schools encourages violence.

“On the contrary, students in the school environment must feel the air of justice and acceptance and should learn how to abide by rules and regulations of the school,” he added.