The services of several female adult education teachers here have been terminated by the Girls' Education Administration even though the teachers have “scored excellent in work performance”. The sacked teachers claim that the administration took the decision on the pretext that the teachers were either pregnant or were absent from work without reason. Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Education to find a solution and the Girls' Education Administration is studying all the cases, Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director general, assured the women teachers. Umm Reem, a teacher who holds a bachelor's degree in biology, said: “I was surprised that my annual contract was not renewed despite the fact that I have six-years experience and my performance is excellent. Oddly enough, the reason given by the Education Administration for not renewing my contract is that I am pregnant.” “This is notwithstanding the fact that I have not submitted any medical reports nor did I apply for or receive any maternity leave during the period of my previous pregnancy,” she added. Faiza, another teacher holding a bachelor's degree in public administration, said: “They have not renewed my contract despite my 19-years experience in the field of female adult education and the fact that my work performance is excellent.” She said she has no other source of income. Badriyah, another teacher, said she had 10-years work experience and was assigned administrative tasks. “When I visited the administration to renew my contract, the officials informed me that in female adult education there are no administrative posts for females and that we might not receive the salary for this month (Sha'ban) due to our contracts not being renewed even though we have given all the classes and have never been absent.”
