The sacked principal of Pakistan International School Jeddah (PISJ – Azizyah section), Wing Commander (Retd.) Muhammad Siddique, has described his termination as illegal. Ambassador of Pakistan (Retd.) Admiral Shahid Karimullah and the school's Management Committee have sent the letter of termination to Foreign Education department of the Saudi Education Ministry. “I received a letter signed by Chairman of the Managing Committee, Dr. Maqbool Hussain, who has ceased to be the chairman, his son has finished his school last month. He cannot sign my termination orders,” Siddiqui told Saudi Gazette. “My termination is illegal and I do not accept it. According to the rules, Maqbool Hussain cannot be chairman after May 31 as his son is no more in school,” Siddiqui said. Earlier, the school's Management Committee extended Maqbool Hussain's tenure and he was appointed as caretaker chairman. Siddiqui said that he was trying to talk to concerned people in this regard. “In case they don't agree with my viewpoint, I will decide on future strategy,” the sacked principal said. “I have no intention yet to take any action against my illegal termination. I respect the prestige of my institution,” Siddiqui said. Controversies surrounded Siddiqui's eight-year tenure as principal. Allegations of financial irregularities and favoritism were freely leveled against the principal. “I have clarified everything to Saudi Gazette which published it in its Urdu edition “Awaz”. People who are leveling allegations against me should prove them as well. They are hypocrites and liars,” said Siddiqui. The new school Management Committee, which has been nominated by Foreign Education department of the Saudi Education Ministry, believes that it was better for the school if the principal was replaced. Earlier, there were strong rumors that the principal has left without informing the authorities. Siddiqui denied the rumors by saying that he went on a holiday. “The principal's application came to me after the official time at 9 P.M. Moreover, the principal was not supposed to go on leave as we had arranged an important meeting,” stated Dr. Maqbool Hussain to Saudi Gazette at that time. In response, Siddiqui divulged about the differences of opinion with the chairman of Management Committee regarding the issue but he was optimistic that all issues would be sorted out. “The new principal will be nominated after the mutual recommendation and understanding of school Management Committee on merit basis,” stated Dr. Maqbool Hussain to press after the orders of principal's termination. Earlier, regarding the issue of his end of tenure as chairman, he stated exclusively to Saudi Gazette that the chairman should be the father of the student only at the time of his selection. He is selected for the tenure of 3 years. This cannot be changed if the children leave school before that period.” Muhammad Ashfaq Mehmood has taken over as acting principal of PISJ-Aziziah till the appointment of the new principal. Meanwhile, Basha Nawaz Khan, advocate and legal advisor of B and K International law firm from India, said three points must be considered in the termination of any school employee(s): Laws, rules and regulations of the election procedure issued by the Director of Foreign Education of International Schools, school Management Committee's by-laws/charter and the Managing Committee's policy decision. __
