Education Ministry’s vacation rule puzzles primary school teachers

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — A number of teachers have expressed surprise at the recent decision by the Ministry of Education that has students beginning summer holidays 22 days before their teachers. Teachers have said the decision means that their time will be wasted, with them having to attend school only to sign on for the day before leaving again. Teachers have requested that their vacation line up with the students’ break, or to at least enroll teachers in training courses to enhance their capabilities during the period instead. Teacher Yasser Al-Harthy explained that teachers' work is closely tied to their students' work, and that without students in classrooms there was little point in having teachers attend. "We wish that the Ministry of Education reconsider its decision and gives teachers their vacation earlier," said Al-Harthy. Teacher Khalid Al-Anzi said that there are teachers in schools in remote areas who would have to bear the burden of traveling daily to be in the school for no purpose. "We're in dire need of equality with students in leave length and dates, or at least if we had any sort of training courses during that period it would be worth the trip," said Al-Anzi. The Ministry of Education’s media spokesman, Mubarak Al-Osaimi, declined to comment on teachers' complaints.