The Girls' Education Department in Jeddah is investigating a case where parents of a girl student allegedly abused the headmistress of an intermediate school recently. The girl was reportedly absent from school for 63 days during the current academic year. According to the school headmistress, who requested anonymity, parents were upset because of the action taken against the girl for frequently getting absent from the school. On several occasions the school administration approached the girl's mother to inquire about her whereabouts but were told that the girl was sick, the headmistress said. Later, the school administration came to know through some of the girl's friends that every morning she visits coffee shops in a commercial center, the headmistress alleged. When the school contacted the parents, the latter reacted angrily and the girl's mother came to the school along with another woman and started abusing the headmistress. The school administration was forced to inform the security patrols and refer the matter to the Girls' Education Department. The headmistress has asked the girl's parents to submit medical reports justifying her absence during the past period so that her dismissal from the school can be stopped. - Okaz __
