The strong flood water running from the Bisha valleys of Taraj, Al-Qawba, Jamh and Al-Jo'bah because of the heavy rain that lashed the governorate recently, is expected to disrupt schooling in the area for more than 30 days. There was an absentee rate of more than 60 percent in Taraj, Al-Qawba and Al-Jo'bah schools; while there were no classes held in Jailan, Aal Al-Roumi, Al-Fatha and Al-Ghafarat. This is because the floods have isolated the villages on the eastern banks of Taraj and Al-Qawba valleys and the villages located on the western side of Al-Jo'ba valley. The floods also prevented teachers and students from reaching their schools on the other side of the valley. The same happened to those who attend Bisha institutes. Muhammad Ayidh Al-Harthi, Abdullah Sultan Al-Harthi, Ali Al-Shihri and Misfir Al-Aklabi said the lack of bridges in the valleys have disrupted studies at schools. They said floods usually cut off their villages from schools and hospitals in the area. They said citizens often have to live in complete isolation in these areas for more than a month. They called on the Ministry of Transportation to construct bridges in the areas to provide some measure of relief during the rainy season. Some teachers and students risked their lives trying to cross Taraj Valley to reach their schools. Saleh Al-Harthi, a teacher, whose car was stuck in the flooded valley had to be rescued by fellow villagers, who helped to tow his car to safety. Students from some isolated villages, some of whom are in their final year at secondary school, said they cannot afford to remain absent from school especially since the examinations are drawing closer. Sa'eed Farha Aal Othman, the Director of Education in the area, said the administration has drawn up a plan to enable students to continue their studies and to help them with the lessons they missed by holding extra classes.
