Abdullah Al-Ghamdi Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — A financial dispute between the Ministry of Education and the printers has delayed the printing and distribution of school text books, according to informed sources. The sources, however, said about 80 percent of the text books have been printed and are being transported to the education departments in all regions for distribution among schools. The sources noted that science and mathematics text books were among books whose printing was delayed. The ministry has, however, resorted to electronic books in place of the printed copies so that classes are not disrupted. However, a number of secondary schools in Jeddah have been left without any print or electronic text books since the new academic year started on Sunday. A number of parents said they asked their children not to go to schools because there were no classes for them in the absence of the text books. The students also complained that the school cafeterias remained closed because the contract between the ministry and the catering company has not been renewed. Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al-Thaqafi, director of the department of education in Jeddah, said the schools have to operate their own cafeterias since no new company has offered to run them. He, however, said the text books for the primary and intermediate schools have already arrived and distributed while the text books for the secondary schools will arrive by the end of this week.
