Government schools across the country registered around 85% attendance of students Sunday as they started the new academic year 2023 - 2024.
Many primary schools received younger pupils in a festive mood with cartoon characters. For older students at preparatory and secondary schools, the morning assembly included welcome speeches.
Nora al-Mansuri, director of Khalifa Ideal School, said parents of the pupils in class I and II were allowed to accompany their children to class and textbooks were distributed in the buses.
Nasser al-Malki, director of Ahmed Mansur Primary School for boys, said that attendance was almost 90% on the first day, which is considered excellent. Many parents were keen to accompany their children to school before the schedule time for the morning assembly. Students were introduced to the basic rules of discipline and encouraged to actively engage into school life, he added.
Ahmed al-Rahimi, director of Ahmed Ibn Hanbal Secondary School for boys, stressed that attendance is strictly registered from the first school day through an electronic system. The first day of school lasted only until 11 am and from Monday.
Ismail Abdulbaqi Shams, director of Omar Ibn Al Khattab Secondary School for boys, said the attendance on the first day amounted to 85% and SMS were sent to the parents of the absent students to inquire about the reason behind their absence.
