Most schoolteachers in Jeddah may have to do with empty benches in their classes as more and more students are absenting themselves from school. “I don't understand what is happening to students?” Walid Ibrahim, a school principal said. “If only students realize how important these days are, they would probably not miss classes. Teachers focus on important study material to make sure students are prepared for exams,” he said. Ibrahim felt the long duration of this semester might have negatively affected the students. But in contrast, students seem to be more interested in other things. Many of these who bunk school head to the beach or malls. “We call each other at night to decide where to meet the other morning,” Abdul-Mohsen Otaibi, a 10th grader told Saudi Gazette. Otaibi said they normally meet around their school in a place where teachers can't see them and wait until all friends arrive. “We head to a cafeteria for breakfast and then to the beach to enjoy,” Otaibi added. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Otaibi's friend, said he skipped classes due to boredom in school and that his family doesn't know about it. Ghamdi claimed they needed to ease their tension and pressure before exams start. “Over the next two weeks when exams start my family won't even allow me to see my friends,” Ghamdi added. “We have finished the course syllabus so why should we attend school,” Otaibi said. Teachers believe that certain security and educational measures should be taken to prevent these students from deceiving both their families and school. “All absentees must be reported to their families otherwise the school will be held responsible for any harm a student may be exposed to when skipping school,” Sameer Al-Khalidy, a schoolteacher said. Khalidy suggested that a behavioral list should be applied strictly to stop this trend. “When students are caught outside school and questioned they might say their teachers have asked them to do so. We should not give our students a chance to lie,” he said. Parents, on the other hand, are in a dilemma. “Our children claim that teachers have stopped giving lessons two weeks ago. We don't know whom to believe,” Abdul-Majid Al-Abbasi, a concerned father told Saudi Gazette. Ibrahim suggested that the situation should be looked into meticulously. He said some schools tend to attract their students with refreshing programs and activities, besides classes. “We should introduce extra curriculum activities so that students can de-stress and enjoy. Such programs should be organized throughout the year to make schools preferred places for students,” he added. __
