DAMMAM: Foreign international schools in the Eastern Province that do not comply with fire and health regulations, face closure or suspension, according to officials of the Department of Foreign Education at the Ministry of Education (MOE) in the region. MOE officials, who inspected a number of foreign schools within the greater Dammam area this week, said the licenses of foreign international schools will be withdrawn if they do not comply with the rules and regulations of local municipalities. Foreign schools, for example, are required to have a minimum of 7,500 square meters of land area. They also have to secure safety and security certifications from the local fire department and other public agencies. A number of foreign schools are already constructing their school buildings and infrastructure on the required 7,500 square meters of land. Other schools renting sites have been ordered to comply by expanding their location.Among the specific requirements of the Municipality of Dammam are adequate recreation areas for school children, school canteens that are clean and professionally managed, adequate and safe transportation facilities, fire and security systems, and a mosque in each of the schools. There are 42 foreign international schools within the greater Dammam area. Compliance is being monitored by the MOE Department of Foreign Education.
