Teachers syndicate criticises ministry’s ‘unpreparedness’ for sandstorm

AMMAN –– The recent weather conditions have unveiled the “poor” preparedness of a large number of schools across the Kingdom and “lack of decision making skills in education directorates”, according to the Jordan Teachers Association (JTA). 

On Tuesday, the Education Ministry delegated directors of education department across Jordan to decide whether to suspend classes in schools depending on the prevailing weather conditions. 

“This announcement, which was already late, did not prompt education directors to take a decision immediately and left teachers, students and parents waiting all Tuesday to know if classes would go as usual on Wednesday or they would be suspended,” said JTA Spokesperson Ayman Okour. 

“This has created a state of chaos in schools, having some of the students coming and some staying home,” he told The Jordan Times on Wednesday. 

Moreover, he noted that the syndicate has received complaints on the preparations of schools in such extraordinary weather, which “jeopardised the safety of students”.

According to Okour, most of the classrooms lack fans, making it hard to close down windows, especially in very-hot regions in the country. 

“In addition, schools are not equipped with emergency toolkits for students with asthma and other types of allergy, who are prone to breathing difficulties even in normal weather,” said the spokesperson, who cited a number of classrooms with broken windows. 

He also noted that the Education Ministry did not designate hotlines to receive emergencies at schools, “but left them to deal with the situation on their own”.

The Jordan Times could not reach officials at the ministry despite several attempts to contact them to comment on the issue.