Saudi Gazette report TAIF — Nearly 500 female secondary school students in Taif refused to enter the classrooms of their rented school building during mid-day Thursday out of fear the dilapidated building may collapse. Responding to the incident, the Education Administration in Taif promised to investigate the overall condition of the school. The administration also said it was discussing the possibility of moving the students to another building belonging to the government, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported Saturday. Al-Wassit Girls' Secondary, which is located in the northwest of Taif, is overcrowded and in such poor condition that exposed electric cables in the corridors and classrooms pose a constant threat to students and teachers. All attempts by the school's principal to convince the girls to return to classrooms failed. “The girls, their guardians and teachers had demanded that the condition of the school ought to be dealt with in such a way that guarantees the girls' safety and stability of the education process,” an informed source in the school said. In September, a local newspaper published a report on the structural flaws of the school. At the time, parents and students demanded that the situation be improved but their demands went ignored. “This is no longer a suitable environment for a school. About 500 female students are in a rented building that is bad from all aspects. The classrooms are small and crowded with nearly 45 students per classroom. There are 11 classrooms that are dark during the day,” said the source on condition of anonymity.
