Thousands of students in Dayar Fifa, Jazan, could not continue their academic year due to the lack of a proper school transportation system after transport operators went on strike arguing non-payment of salaries.

As a temporary solution, some parents decided to rent special transportation for their children, though many others were not able to afford it.

“More than 1,525 students have suffered for an entire semester due to constant interruption of school transportation. The operators are demanding their monthly wages since the beginning of the semester, and according to a local newspaper, rather than providing free service to students, they are looking for jobs elsewhere,” said Mohammed Al-Faifi, a transport operator.

Many parents lashed against the performance of the local Education Department, claiming lack of responsibility to provide transport service to students.

A large number of them have been unable to complete their studies since they are not able to afford their transport fares, forcing some parents living in remote areas to make use of unsafe vehicles to carry the children to school.

Meanwhile, the Education Department in Fifa has been informed of large school absence as a result of the current transportation crisis.

“The recent school transportation strike is a result of the Education Department’s failure to pay salaries to drivers on the first semester.

“Most of them have not yet received their wages even though the second semester has already started,” said Bandar Al-Arishi, manager of a transportation contracting company.