JAFFA, Israel – Saudi teachers were surprised to receive rabbits from their schools as a token of appreciation for their students’ achievements.
The 27th and 58th girls’ schools in the city of Medina awarded the teachers rabbits and a night at a local hotel, according to reports. Outstanding students also received rabbits.
“The Education Ministry encourages schools to give incentives to teachers, and it’s welcome that the rabbits were given to students too, because they can be used to demonstrate health hazards in science classes for example,” Omar Muhammad Birnawi, a ministry official, told the Okaz newspaper. “These awards are perfectly acceptable so long as we’re convinced they bear no diseases.”
Saudi social media users were not amused.
“What kind of incentive is that?” wrote Naif. “What a load of rubbish. What is all this trafficking in animals?”
Ali wrote: “Next time hand out fodder.”
“Finally we know why our education system has become so good” another wrote. “Now that we know the reason, we are no longer surprised.”
“Next time give them sheep,” Thnian suggested.
“Elsewhere in the world, smartphones and tablets are handed out, not animals that poop,” Abdullah tweeted.
“I need to see the face of the person who suggested this idea,” wrote another. “I wonder what he started off as.”
“Have we run out of incentives??” Emad wondered.
Ahmad told the teachers “to sell the rabbits in the Friday market, maybe something good will come out of it.”
“You have no idea how many curses the students’ mothers will hurl at them once they see the awards,” another warned.