Rodent-infested school to be closed

Manama : Educational authorities  have decided to shut down a dilapidated rodent-infested school in the Capital Governorate.

A special panel in the Education Ministry has decided that “the buildings of Sanabis Primary Girls’ School aren’t safe and not fit for schooling”.

This followed numerous complaints from parents about the unhygienic conditions of the school, which is one of the oldest in Bahrain (established in 1968).

The complaints were filed two years ago when parents and teachers protested in front of the school, demanding an immediate solution, as the school has been infested by rodents and insects.

According to the area’s Parliamentary Representative, MP Adel Hameed, the Ministry announced that the students and teachers of the school will be shifted to another school while a new one is being constructed.

“I was informed by the Ministry’s Undersecretary for Educational and Curricula Affairs Dr. Abdulla Al Mottawa that the school’s students and teachers will be transferred to Sanabis Primary Boys’ School,” Hameed said, adding that “this is a temporary solution.”

He also pointed out that “there won’t be an elementary boys’ school in the area during this period.”

“Immediate action should be taken to acquire a land in Sanabis, so that a new school could be built. This matter should be included in the State’s budget for the years 2017-2018,” the MP said in a press statement yesterday.

“As legislators, My fellow MPs and I would spare no efforts to ensure that the project is included in the government plan next year.”

“The school is overpopulated and is incapable of accommodating the children of 11,000 families that are living in the area. These numbers are rapidly increasing, especially with the distribution of units of the new Burhama Community Housing Project in the area, which houses more than 250 families.”

“Several serious incidents were recorded in the school, and fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported,” he added.

In his statement, Hameed thanked Education Minister Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi and Ministry officials for their concern and efforts.

It’s noteworthy that Hameed had submitted a proposal last year to shut down the school and allocate a new one for girls in the area. The proposal was passed by the Council of Representatives.

Additionally, Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa also directed the concerned authorities to immediately solve the matter. The Ministry’s decision yesterday followed one year of intensive investigations and discussions.