Manama: Students at a high school in Saudi Arabia have selected one of their own to help the principal manage every day matters.
Ibn Sahrim School, 50 kilometres west of Rafha, a town in the north of Saudi Arabia, close to the border with Iraq, has been without an assistant principal since the start of the academic year, prompting the principal to look for a solution.
The assistant principal designated by the education district said he could not take up the new post as there was no substitute for him in his school, Saudi daily Al Watan reported on Thursday.
Faced with the shortage, the Ibn Sahrim School has written several times to the district requesting the prompt appointment of a new assistant.
However, as he received no answer, he decided to name a student to be in charge of some matters regarding administrative matters, and after consultations with the students, Hatem Al Shimmari was named as the interim assistant principal.
In a letter to the education district, the principal said that he had to take action and settle the issue facing the school after the appointed assistant did not show up at the school even though he was appointed four months ago.
The principal said Hatem would assist him for the next week during the first and second periods of the school days.
The highly unusual move was welcomed as a positive step that will help students gain insights into administrative work and assuming responsibilities.
“This is a highly sensible decision that should be reinforced by the education districts and adopted in all schools,” Sagane, a blogger, said.
“In fact, it should also be used in colleges and universities as a way to prepare students for leadership positions within the state institutions. Unfortunately, may public institutions do not invest in character-building through practical and hands on experiences. Maybe this decision by Ibn Sharim School will be the first step in a school programme to build leaders,” Sagane said.
