Parents of children studying at the English section of the Pakistan International School in Rehab (PISJ-ES)are in dishevelment after the school hiked its fees, which were already considered high compared to other community schools.
Khalid Cheema, the father of a student at the school, said that many parents will not be able to afford the fee hike. “A parents’ management committee should be formed to examine such matters from a parents’ point of view,” he said.
“School fees were already high and school authorities increased them by more than 20 percent, which is not affordable for an average Pakistani. The school is a community school. The consulate and embassy should interfere and find out why this has happened. They should also check the entire system of the school, as many issues need to be rectified,” he said.
He said that fees were SR900 for primary school, which school authorities increased to SR1,100, while secondary school fees are even higher. Even the bus fees increased to SR 300 per month.
“There is no one to ask what is going on at the school. The consulate should monitor the fee payment system,” he added.
He requested the consulate to find a school principal that would be present at the school. “Principals should be around all the time and not spend half their time in Pakistan. This affects the school system and children’s’ education,” he added.
Another father, Mohammed Ilyas, said that the increment in school fees would affect the education of their children. Parents have nowhere to complain, he said.
“This increment is not fair on parents, as we were already paying high fees. School authorities have increased them without any notice or concern for parents. We are also paying for extra-curricular activities and tuition out of school. Where is an average Pakistani to find such money? This is a community school. Even the price of books and uniforms have increased,” he said.
He requested to bring the fees back to the previous level so the education of many children would not be affected.
Another father, Fiyaz Husain, said “a parent who has two or three children at school can’t afford the fees and this will impact the education of many children,” he said.
An ex-parent committee member, Athar Ali Bokhari, told Arab News that the previous committee was dissolved in 2007 and that there had been no committee in the school since then.
Pakistani Consul General Aftab Khokher told Arab News that parents can send him a written request about their problems and the fee hike, as well as to the Ministry of Education. The consulate will look into the matter and try to resolve it.
“The Ministry of Education gave permission to international schools to increase their fees if required. Technically, they gave permission, but we will look into the increase. We cannot take action unless parents come forward,” he explained.
“Parents should also not bring any politics into the school. We are trying to bring things back on the right track. The Pakistani ambassador already sent a request to the Ministry of Education for the improvement of the parents’ management committee. We requested removing the condition that stipulates that only parents can participate in this committee so qualified people can take care of issues,” he said.
Arab News called PISJ-ES to discuss these complaints with authorities. The school administration not only refused to talk to Arab News but was told not to call again.
Parents feel the pinch as Pak school hikes fee
Parents feel the pinch as Pak school hikes fee
More than 5,000 volunteers support pilgrim healthcare
- The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program
MAKKAH: More than 5,000 healthcare volunteers are participating in this year’s Hajj season, the Ministry of Health said, as part of efforts to enhance the quality of services for pilgrims.
The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, aiming to increase volunteer participation and strengthen their role in serving pilgrims.
Volunteers support healthcare services in three main areas: preventive, curative, and support, the ministry said.
Their efforts cover various locations within the holy sites, including Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, as well as hospitals and healthcare centers.
According to a report, more than 147,000 medical services have been provided to pilgrims so far.
Healthcare data shows that 80,603 pilgrims benefited from primary care centers, while emergency departments received 35,176 cases.
Outpatient clinics treated 7,541 patients, and 5,619 cases were admitted to hospitals, including 2,626 in intensive care.
Additionally, 248 cardiac catheterizations and 18 open-heart surgeries were performed.
Arab Parliament congratulates Saudi leadership on managing Hajj season
- Mohammed Al-Yamahi, the speaker of the Arab Parliament, congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- He said that Saudi Arabia’s use of the latest technologies and innovative services has contributed to safeguarding pilgrims during Hajj
LONDON: The Arab Parliament congratulated the Saudi leadership and the Kingdom for organizing and managing the Hajj season, which nearly 1.4 million Muslim pilgrims undertook from Wednesday.
Mohammed Al-Yamahi, the speaker of the Arab Parliament, congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on their great success in managing the pilgrimage this year, the Kuwait News Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia has employed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to manage the Hajj pilgrimage and provide the 1.4 million pilgrims with water, food, accommodation, as well as transportation and health services in various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Yamahi added that the use of the latest technologies and innovative services has contributed to safeguarding pilgrims and creating an environment for performing rituals in a safe and comfortable manner.
He mentioned that the integration of advanced technologies in the Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia has greatly enhanced comfort, security, and safety for pilgrims and the approach serves as a model for effectively managing one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, the KUNA added.
Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’
MAKKAH: For more than 30 years, Mohammed Sabgha has witnessed the evolution of one of Islam’s most sacred professions — serving as a “Mutawwif,” or official Hajj guide, a hereditary calling that has shaped Makkah families for centuries.
The Tawafa profession is one of the oldest Hajj-related occupations, practiced exclusively by Makkah residents devoted to welcoming, hosting and guiding pilgrims through their sacred journey.
These guides coordinate every aspect of the pilgrimage — from airport reception and accommodation, to healthcare and ritual guidance — according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
Sabgha described it as a sacred inheritance: “This work passes from fathers to sons through generations. Serving Allah’s guests is a privilege, not a duty.”
Throughout his career, Sabgha has witnessed remarkable changes to Hajj, especially the rapid improvements of recent years.
“The pilgrim service system is enhanced every year — from crowd management and group coordination to medical care, ritual facilitation and overall experience,” he said.
The transformation reflects Saudi Arabia’s systematic approach to service excellence. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah works with government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations in year-round planning cycles that begin immediately after each Hajj concludes.
“Every service is measured and evaluated. We identify areas for improvement and implement changes — all aimed at better serving pilgrims,” Sabgha said.
“The Kingdom invests enormous resources and spares no expense in fulfilling this sacred mission.”
He highlighted the Nusuk digital platform as particularly revolutionary, calling it “the foundation stone for delivering every service pilgrims need, regardless of type.”
Among countless pilgrim encounters, one story deeply moved Sabgha. “A few years ago, I served a man who had converted to Islam just months before his Hajj. He said his conversion was inspired by a specific Qur’anic verse.”
The pilgrim had been profoundly affected by verse 70 of Surat Al-Isra: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created.”
Sabgha said: “He reflected deeply on the verse’s meaning — that Allah, the One God, honored humanity with intellect to distinguish good from evil and benefit from harm, in both worldly and spiritual matters.”
Saudi youth volunteers shine in Hajj
MAKKAH: Saudi youth from across the Kingdom have made significant contributions to serving pilgrims through volunteer work during this year’s Hajj season.
Their initiatives included providing medical care in collaboration with service providers, managing crowds at the Grand Mosque and holy sites, and directing pilgrims to ensure smooth ritual performance.
Volunteers exemplify generosity and support various sectors serving pilgrims, while also developing their skills and capabilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. is participating with 1,068 male and female volunteer trainees this year in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.
Abdullah Al-Duhailan, the corporation’s director general of activities, said the number of volunteers has increased by over 60 percent in four years, from 655 in 2022 to 1,068 this year.
Volunteers join public service camps organized by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, in cooperation with government and civil society organizations.
Their roles include guiding lost pilgrims, assisting patients at clinics and hospitals, transporting those in need with hospital vehicles, and supporting tasks alongside the Ministry of Commerce and Makkah municipality.
Volunteers also identify lost pilgrims’ nationalities and service office numbers by scanning barcodes on Nusuk cards and guide them to accommodations via the shortest routes under field scout leaders’ supervision.
Scout teams are also stationed at more than 180 mobile guidance points across Mina, providing rapid support and enhancing service quality to facilitate pilgrims’ smooth Hajj rituals.
Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister
MINA: Saudi Arabia has achieved unprecedented levels of integration, efficiency and service excellence during this year’s Hajj, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
Tawfiq Al-Rabiah was speaking at the annual reception for dignitaries and senior Islamic figures who performed Hajj this year, which was held on Saturday in Mina and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
This year saw the launch of the Hajj Transport Center, which served as the central hub for transportation across Makkah and the holy sites and was one of this year’s notable achievements, said Al-Rabiah.
In terms of infrastructure, he added, the electric power capacity in the holy sites increased by 75 percent, with total investments exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million).
Logistically, the minister said: “More than 7,000 flights from 238 destinations around the world were received. In addition, 4,700 Haramain High-Speed Railway trips and 2,500 shuttle bus journeys were operated, supported by the deployment of over 20,000 buses.”
He added: “In the health sector, hospital bed capacity was expanded by over 60 percent. A new emergency hospital was inaugurated, and 71 rapid response units were deployed, tripling the emergency response capacity compared to previous years.”
Al-Rabiah also emphasized the success of the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, which played a vital role in maintaining order, protecting pilgrims and ensuring the safe management of crowds.
He said the campaign was launched to reinforce discipline, protect legitimate pilgrims and facilitate crowd management in a safe environment, enhancing smooth flow and improving organizational efficiency.
On the volunteer front, the Ministry of Health announced the participation of more than 5,000 health volunteers during this year’s Hajj season, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of medical services provided to pilgrims.
This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Guests of God Service Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to increase the number of volunteers and enhance their contribution to serving pilgrims.
The ministry said: “The volunteers supported healthcare services across three main areas, preventive, therapeutic and support services, in various locations throughout the holy sites … as well as through active participation in hospitals and health centers.”
Authorities also praised the role of advanced technology and digital platforms that streamlined pilgrims’ movements and access to services, while thousands of security personnel, health workers, and volunteers were deployed to offer support.
