By Khalid Al-Mareeh

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

ABHA – The people of Al-Ayna in Asir province have called on the Education Department to move Abu Darda Elementary School to their village from its current location in the deserted village of Thaltheen.

The school is currently located in a rugged terrain. The students and teachers have great difficulty in getting to the school, which many people believe should be moved from this deserted village.

Yehya Awda, a resident of Al-Ayna, said he did not send his sons to school yet although the school year started over a week ago. He was worried about the safety of his sons.

“We have an empty building in our village which can be used as a school. Why don't the authorities move the school to our village?” he wondered.

Mefarrah Saeed, another resident, hopes the authorities would end the suffering of the teachers, students and parents by moving the school to Al-Ayna.

He said the current location proved to be dangerous because of the many accidents that take place on the road leading to the school.

"I cannot understand why the school is still in Thaltheen although the village was deserted long ago and not a single soul lives there," Saeed said.

“We have lodged a complaint with the Asir Education Department. We asked them to move the school to our village from the beginning of the new school year but no action has been taken. Besides, the school building is in a dilapidated condition and it poses a danger to the students and teachers,” he said.

Officials at the Education Department were still looking into the demands of the village residents.

One of the residents captured a video showing the road leading to the school passing through tough terrain and how many dangerous accidents take place on the road. He has posted the video on social media platforms.