Private schools delayed to 9/10

Classes in government schools will start as scheduled on Sept 27, while the beginning of the school year for kindergartens, private schools and nurseries under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as schools for those with special needs, will be postponed until Sept 10, Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud said Tuesday.
Commenting on the minister’s announcement, one of the school administrators was surprised when the ministry scheduled the beginning of the academic year for some schools on a Thursday (Sept 10). “What is the logic behind starting the school year on the last day of the week? I don’t think students will be motivated to attend their classes on the first day of the school year and take a break for the weekend. It would have been better if the ministry scheduled it on a Sunday,” he opined.

Meanwhile, asked about measures taken to combat swine flu, Al-Humoud said the joint committee of the Ministries of Health and Education had placed an effective plan to counter the spread of swine flu in schools. She explained workshops have been held for administrative staff and teachers to train them on how to measure a child’s temperature and take preventive measures. She said 120 fully-equipped clinics had been established in schools and the ministry will hold intensive swine flu awareness campaigns for parents.