In a decisive move aimed at strengthening school discipline and improving the efficiency of the educational process, the Saudi Ministry of Education implemented a strict electronic procedure this morning, Sunday, through the central "Noor" system. This procedure automatically closed the examination halls to students whose absences exceeded 18 days without an acceptable excuse, thus preventing them from taking the written exams for the end of the first semester.
Strict application of disciplinary regulations
This move coincides with the return of approximately six million students to their classrooms across the Kingdom, sending a clear message about the Ministry's commitment to enforcing regulations and preventing any laxity in school attendance. This step is part of a broader strategy adopted by the Ministry to curb the phenomenon of unjustified absence, which negatively impacts academic achievement and educational outcomes. Educational experts indicate that activating "automatic suspension" reduces human intervention in applying penalties, thus ensuring fairness and equality among all students in different regions.
Time adjustments to accommodate weather conditions
Meanwhile, the exams, which last for five days, have undergone exceptional time adjustments in six educational districts due to the cold waves affecting the Kingdom. The weather conditions have created a different reality, requiring administrative flexibility to ensure the safety and health of the students
- Riyadh and the Eastern Province: The tests started at nine o'clock in the morning.
- Northern regions (Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders): The departure was delayed until 10:00 AM to alleviate the severity of the cold.
Testing procedures and digital transformation
Exam halls in boys' and girls' schools witnessed a steady stream of students from the third grade of elementary school through the third grade of high school from early morning, amidst the complete readiness of the organizing and supervisory committees. The total reliance on the "Noor" system for recording grades and implementing penalties reflects the qualitative leap in the digital infrastructure of education in the Kingdom, as the system allows for precise and real-time monitoring of the educational process.
Immediately after the exams concluded, teaching staff began the process of marking and meticulously reviewing answer sheets, in accordance with the Ministry's directives to utilize official working hours to complete tasks promptly. Schools have already begun entering grades into the electronic system, racing against the clock to announce the final results for all students by the end of the school day next Thursday. This will pave the way for the nine-day mid-year break, giving students and their families a chance to recharge after a busy week.
