In a strategic organizational move, the Saudi Ministry of Education issued a decision to restructure its communications system. This decision included abolishing the position of "official spokesperson" in all regional and provincial education departments. Under the new structure, the authority to issue media statements and release official announcements is now centralized within the Ministry's central channels, with the aim of unifying the media message and ensuring its accuracy and consistency across the Kingdom.
Background of the decision and its developmental context
This decision comes as part of the updated "Communication Governance Guide," representing a significant shift in the Ministry's administrative thinking. This guide replaces the previous regulations of 1441 AH (2019/2020), which allowed for greater local autonomy. This step aligns with the general trend of Saudi government institutions towards implementing the highest standards of governance and administrative centralization, in accordance with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on efficiency, transparency, and unified efforts. Previously, having multiple official spokespeople could sometimes lead to conflicting statements on similar issues, potentially causing confusion among the public.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
The significance of this decision lies in its putting an end to uncoordinated individual statements and establishing a centralized and rigorous institutional communication system. This step is expected to have several positive effects, most notably:
- At the local level, this decision will contribute to strengthening the unified public image of the Ministry of Education and increase public trust (among students, parents, and teachers) in the information it issues. It will also prevent the spread of rumors or inaccurate information that may arise from personal interpretations, especially during times of crisis or when important decisions related to the academic calendar or examinations are announced.
- On the media level: The decision will provide journalists with a single, reliable source of information, which will facilitate the verification process, ensure the accurate and objective transmission of news, and eliminate the phenomenon of conflicting sources from within the sector itself.
From platform management to message governance
The new regulations move beyond the traditional concept of social media account management, adopting a more comprehensive approach: "message governance." This new governance framework encompasses managing institutional reputation, creating strategic digital content, and establishing clear mechanisms for handling media crises. The guidelines define single, official channels for addressing any emergencies, preventing leaks or unauthorized interpretations that could cause confusion. Furthermore, the guidelines emphasize compliance with national policies and the protection of information security, thereby enhancing the professionalism and credibility of all content emanating from the educational institution across its various platforms.
