Saudi Gazette report AL-BAHA — A Shoura Council member has said current regulations and behavior code for public schools do not protect the rights of teachers, Al-Madinah newspaper reported. Mastourah Al-Shammari, a member of the educational committee in the Shoura, said the rules will under go a complete review by specialists at the Ministry of Education as well as experts in behavioral sciences. She said committees have been formed to review and upgrade the rules as a result of a spate of ugly incidents inside some school campuses. The rules are expected to include preventive measures and deterrent punishments. Al-Shammari hoped that recent cases of assaults against teachers will serve as a wake-up call. She said new rules should be enacted and publicized as soon as possible, as the current system does not protect teachers and ensure mutual respect between students and teachers. Al-Shammari added that the educational committee at the Shoura Council has recommended schools principals, teachers, counselors, students and parents should be asked to give their feedback. She expressed anger at the recent killing of a teacher in a Jazan school. She said such incidents could occur again if necessary measures are not put in place. Al-Shammari believes this was not the first example of belligerent behavior by this student, who carried a knife to school. She questioned the laxity of the school administration in failing to notice such behavior through proper monitoring and analysis. She did not see the need for posting security personnel inside schools and installing metal detectors at school gates. Schools should coordinate with security bodies to ensure the safety of students outside the campuses. She recommended that medical clinics should be available in all schools to provide first-aid whenever necessary. Abdulrahman Al-Qarash, a member of the National Family Safety Program, has cautioned against the increase in violence at schools. He said lately there has been an increase in vandalism, smoking, drug abuse, extortion, indecency and violence among youth. “Assaults on teachers are the result of wrong behavioral perceptions and irresponsible parents are to blame,” he added.
