HAIL — The Ministry of Education has issued the decision allowing nurseries to be opened in public and private schools, universities and other educational institutions to increase the productivity of working mothers, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported. The ministry said working mothers would feel more comfortable if their children were close to them. In a statement, it said: “We have seen the negative ramifications of leaving newborn babies and infants in the care of babysitters and housemaids. The ministry's decision should help mothers be more productive in their workplaces.” Hail Education General Director Yousef Al-Thuwaini said the ministry is aware of the challenges of a working mother. “The education sector in the Kingdom will definitely have more productive women teachers and staff members. “They will not have to be absent from their work or feel uncomfortable in their work environment because their children are not around them.” National Schools Development Unit head Falhaa Al-Shammary said the decision includes the public and private sectors. “The decision will not only be a benefit to working mothers but it will also open new job opportunities for Saudi women to work in the nurseries. “Saudi families will not be obliged to pay extravagant sums of money to sponsor expatriate housemaids.” The head of a family development guidance unit, Wifaq Fahd Al-Amer, said the ministry's decision would add stability to Saudi families. “Infants need their mothers' care during their first few years. “Having a nursery where the mother works will not only enable her to be around her child more often but will also give her the peace of mind that the babysitters in the nursery are qualified Saudi candidates.” He added Saudi mothers appreciate it when compatriot babysitters take care of their infants instead of expatriates. “The mothers feel more secure knowing the person taking care of their infants has the same religious, linguistic, cultural and family values as themselves,” said Al-Amer. Hail Education's Assistant Director General Fowziyah Al-Junaidi said all working and studying mothers have been waiting for the decision to be issued. She said: “Saudi mothers feel appreciated after the decision. We will work our hardest to overcome any obstacle standing in the way of implementing this directive.” Social worker at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center for the Handicapped in Hail, Nourah Al-Muka, said she hoped the decision would be implemented soon. She said: “The decision definitely empowers women education in the Kingdom and women in general. “Teachers have been requesting for this service for a while. “They know that the comfort of the employees is an important element in maintaining the stability and growth of an organization.” She added there are many studies and previous experiences around the world proving that the provision of nurseries and daycares in the workplace has increased women's productivity. “American labor authorities published a study demonstrating that women's productivity tripled after daycares were opened in their workplaces from 1950 to 1985. “Dubai Municipality has also opened a nursery for its working mothers.”
