New rules to promote school discipline
In a decisive step to reinforce the value of commitment and raise academic achievement, the Saudi Ministry of Education has established new and strict rules for regulating school discipline, emphasizing that frequent absences constitute a major obstacle to the stability of the educational process. These measures are centered around the updated Code of Conduct and Attendance, which aims to strike a delicate balance between applying deterrent disciplinary measures and guaranteeing students' fundamental rights to education, in accordance with the Child Protection Law.
Details of the attendance policy and resulting penalties
The Ministry revealed the implementation mechanism that directly links attendance to student academic evaluation. Attendance is allocated 100 points, which are included in the overall grade point average. One point is deducted for each day of absence without a valid excuse. The Ministry has set a limit: if absences exceed 10% of the total school days without a valid excuse, elementary and middle school students will be prevented from advancing to the next grade, while high school students will be prevented from progressing to the next semester, meaning they will have to repeat the year or semester. However, the Ministry clarified that acceptable excuses, such as medical reports, are not counted towards this limit, provided they are documented through the approved platforms within the specified timeframe.
In the context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These regulations are part of the comprehensive transformation underway in the Kingdom's education sector, a cornerstone of achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and the Human Capital Development Program. The Vision aims to cultivate a disciplined and committed generation equipped with the skills necessary to compete globally. Therefore, managing attendance and absence is no longer a mere routine procedure, but rather a significant indicator of a student's seriousness and family environment, and a strategic tool for instilling values of responsibility and self-discipline from a young age—indispensable qualities in the future job market.
Balancing punishment and child protection
The Ministry of Education emphasized that the goal is not purely punitive, but primarily educational. Therefore, attendance procedures are closely linked to the child protection system. Frequent absences, especially in the early grades, are considered a serious indicator that may point to family neglect or social or psychological challenges facing the student. Accordingly, regulations require schools to intervene early through the student counselor to investigate the reasons for absences. If neglect or abuse is suspected, the case is referred to the relevant authorities to ensure the child's protection and provide the necessary support for the child and their family.
Expected impact and the role of the family
These measures are expected to significantly increase attendance rates, positively impacting students' academic performance and reducing learning loss. They also strengthen the partnership between schools and families, making parents key partners in monitoring their children's attendance. The Ministry has facilitated this monitoring through approved digital platforms that allow for the immediate and transparent documentation of acceptable excuses. Ultimately, this comprehensive policy aims to create a safe and disciplined learning environment that ensures fairness and equal opportunities, equipping students to face future challenges with competence and capability.
