Saudi schools told to avoid gender-mixing

A senior member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family has told education authorities to stop gender-mixing at primary schools in the capital Riyadh following public complaints that some of the schools are violating existing rules.

Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, who has just been named defence minister, sent a circular to the education department in Riyadh asking it to instruct all public and private schools to prevent any sort of gender-mixing in class and during breaks.

The prince’s circular was in response to complaints by the parents of some students and a letter from the grand Mufti (Islamic chief) of the conservative Gulf Kingdom that allowing gender-mixing is in violation of existing laws which stipulate segregation of male and female students at all school levels.

“Prince Salman’s circular to the education department followed growing complaints by student parents and a letter from the Mufti that any sort of gender-mixing at schools must not be allowed in class and during breaks whether in school corridors or in the main hall,” the Arabic language daily Sabq said.

“In his letter to the Prince, the grand Mufti underlined the need to stop all such practices and comply with laws which prohibit gender mixing at Saudi schools…the mufti said such violations pose serious legal threats.”
 

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