Saudi Education Ministry: Strict plan to regulate attendance and absences during Ramadan
In a move aimed at dispelling the stereotype of lax performance during the holy month, the Ministry of Education its school administrations and all staff to implement a comprehensive "guidance" plan to regulate the educational process during Ramadan . These directives come as part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance school discipline and maximize the effective use of class time without any waste, while strictly enforcing attendance regulations and ensuring the continuity of learning outcomes and the achievement of educational goals, all while respecting the spirituality of the holy month.
The context of transformation in the educational system
These decisive measures come within the context of a major transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's education sector, where the Ministry seeks to instill the concept that fasting is a motivator for work and achievement, not an excuse for laziness. The issue of "school discipline during Ramadan" has become a top priority for the Ministry in recent years, given the challenges schools previously faced, such as high rates of absenteeism and tardiness, which negatively impacted students' academic performance before official holidays.
Timeline and procedural details
The Ministry has already begun preparing the school environment, adopting flexible class schedules to suit the nature of the holy month, while simultaneously conducting an early assessment of students expected to be absent to proactively monitor their attendance. The plan outlines the timeframe for the actual implementation of these measures, beginning on the first of Sha'ban and extending until the sixteenth of Ramadan, to ensure the stability of educational performance before and during the holy month.
The ministry mandated that schools strictly adhere to the approved start and end of the school day , emphasizing zero tolerance for violations of school uniform regulations and firm action against late arrivals. Instructions were also issued prohibiting the dismissal of any student before the end of the official school day except in extreme emergencies and in accordance with regulations. School administrations were held responsible for monitoring student attendance and preventing absenteeism during the school day.
Educational and psychological strategies
The directives were not limited to the administrative aspect but also included the educational aspect, as the ministry urged teachers to utilize every minute of class time to enhance learning outcomes. It emphasized the necessity of employing "active learning" strategies that break the monotony and take into account the physiological changes students experience while fasting, thus helping to maintain their focus and engagement.
In the context of psychological support, student counselors during this period focus on studying cases of frequent absences and analyzing their causes, while providing psychological and educational support to students facing challenges in adapting to studying while fasting. The Ministry has also tasked student activity coordinators with linking school events to the values of the holy month of Ramadan and implementing engaging programs that instill in students a sense of responsibility and diligence in their pursuit of knowledge.
Partnership with the family and the expected impact
The plan emphasized the immediate activation of communication channels with parents and the sending of regular notifications containing weekly learning plans and disciplinary reports to ensure family involvement in promoting their children's regular attendance. Through this set of measures, the Ministry aims to instill a culture of sustained discipline and transform Ramadan into an opportunity to reinforce educational values rather than an excuse for laxity. This will positively impact national educational outcomes and enhance the overall efficiency of the education system.
