About five million students are expected to return to over 30,000 boys' and girls' schools Sunday in different regions and governorates of the Kingdom after the end of the 10-day Eid Al-Adha holidays amidst medical warnings about the spread of the winter influenza virus. Schools are expected to hold Eid greeting parties, as approved by the Ministry of Education, to foster the values of religious observances. Dr. Mahmood Al-Sayyid, Director of Medical Supervision in the General Administration for Education in Jeddah, stressed the necessity of warning students about health hazards on their return to school amidst cold and changing weather in most regions of the Kingdom. He warned families and students of common symptoms during this period coinciding with the end of the Haj season that has witnessed a decrease in temperatures, Al-Watan reported Saturday. Al-Sayyid said Jeddah is an important station for the arrival and departure of pilgrims and its atmosphere is conducive to the spread of colds, influenza viruses and other health problems accompanying weather changes, making it necessary for students and their families to take precautionary measures. Al-Sayyid said that schools should urge students to eat breakfast, ventilate the classrooms, and prevent crowding in classrooms and corridors especially if anybody was suffering from cold and influenza. Students suffering from these illnesses should be referred to health units to receive treatment. The health official also emphasized the necessity of monitoring canteens and cafeterias in the schools to ensure that they provide clean and nutritious food. Also, carbonated soft drinks that directly affect students' health should not be sold, he said. Meanwhile, male and female students are expected to receive today over 400,000 men and women teachers who will complete the first semester school curricula and prepare students for the end of semester examinations in mid
