The Saudi Ministry of Education announced the implementation of a comprehensive and strict procedural plan to enhance school discipline and ensure the continued efficiency of the educational process during the holy month of Ramadan. This step comes as part of the Ministry's efforts to address the phenomenon of absenteeism and laxity that may appear among some students during this month, emphasizing that there will be no leniency with schools that fail to implement the regulations.
Historical background and context of the decision
Historically, Ramadan has presented a seasonal challenge to education systems in many Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia. Changes in daily routines, such as sleep schedules, pre-dawn meal (suhoor), and breaking the fast (iftar), can affect students' concentration and attendance. Recognizing this recurring challenge, the Ministry of Education has developed annual strategies over the years to maintain the momentum of the educational process. This year's plan builds upon those efforts, but with a greater emphasis on immediate monitoring and accountability, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development and a commitment to responsibility.
Details of the Ramadan action plan
The ministry directed all its educational departments and staff to adhere to the plan aimed at maximizing the use of every minute of the school day. Key measures include the following:
- Flexible study schedules: A timetable and study schedules have been adopted that are appropriate to the nature of the holy month, with an emphasis on strict adherence to the start and end times of the school day.
- Proactive and immediate monitoring of absences: The plan obliges schools to identify students expected to be absent and to proactively monitor them, while activating the system of immediate daily monitoring of absences and notifying parents directly through approved communication channels.
- Activating active learning: The ministry called on teachers to employ “active learning” strategies that effectively engage students and help break the ice, taking into account the physiological changes that students go through during fasting.
- Preventing early departure: The instructions stressed preventing any student from leaving before the end of the official school day except in emergency cases and in accordance with the approved regulations, while holding the school administration fully responsible for monitoring student attendance.
Importance and expected impact
The importance of this plan extends beyond simply maintaining discipline; it carries deeper educational and developmental dimensions. Locally, the Ministry seeks to instill a culture of seriousness and responsibility in students, emphasizing that the pursuit of knowledge does not conflict with the spirituality of the holy month. It also aims to ensure the achievement of targeted learning outcomes without any educational waste, directly contributing to the quality of public education outputs. Nationally, this approach reflects the Kingdom's commitment to building a disciplined and productive generation, capable of leading the future and achieving the goals of sustainable development. Transforming Ramadan into an opportunity to reinforce educational and academic values, rather than a reason for laxity, is the true benchmark by which the Ministry measures the efficiency of school performance and the seriousness of the entire system.
