Saudi teachers forced to cover school expenses

Makkah : Some female teachers in Makkah have alleged that senior school officials are forcing them to pay a monthly fee to meet the various school expenses. They also alleged that teachers who refused to pay the amount are being victimized.

The teachers claim that they are being asked to pay the fee as charges for the wages of computer operators uploading information into the system and preparing and printing letters, and toward purchase of photocopying papers and ink.

The teachers claim that the salary of the computer operators should be paid by the schools.

A report in Makkah Arabic daily said teachers are also asked to pay part of the salary of cleaners for keeping their rooms neat and tidy.

The report quoted some teachers as saying that they are not being allowed to use the photocopy machines even for school work. “The move by certain school managers to impose a monthly fee has drawn the wrath of teachers. It has also created division among the teachers,” said the report.

A teacher, who requested anonymity, said equality and justice should remain the hallmarks of education system. She objected to the practice of some teachers being given 25 classes a week in addition to school activities while some others are assigned only 15 classes without adding any school activity to their official duties.

An English teacher at a Makkah secondary school, meanwhile, emphasized the significant role being played by teachers in building the society. “Authorities do not know what is happening behind the curtain in certain schools. Teachers who pay a monthly fee to the director receive a lot of favors including special treatment and appreciation.”

On the other hand, teachers who fail to pay the fee are denied even the basic rights. They also come under a lot of pressure. “The Education Department provides all facilities required by a school but the managers prevent teachers from using even the photocopy machine,” she said, adding that a teacher used to spend a lot of money on school and summer activities.

A secondary school teacher said her manager was not treating all teachers equally. “If a teacher feels she was treated unjustly it would affect her productivity and performance,” she pointed out.

“We are not against making some financial contributions to meet school expenses but we are against the way it is imposed upon us against our will,” she explained. The administration’s pressure on teachers has worsened the work atmosphere in schools, she said.

Another teacher spoke about the arbitrary and wrong practices in some schools. “A teacher should not be asked to pay expenses of cleaning her room in the school.” She said some school managers collect donations from teachers saying it was to finance humanitarian programs.

Talal Al-Radadi, spokesman of the Education Department in Makkah, said: “We have instructed all schools not to collect any donation for any purpose. School authorities violating this rule will be asked to return back the money to the donors and they face punitive action.”