Final exams for the first semester began this morning, Sunday, across Saudi Arabia, with approximately six million students returning to their classrooms. The day saw the strict implementation of electronic procedures through "Noor" system , which automatically barred students with more than 18 days of absence without a valid excuse from taking the written exams.
Strict application of the school disciplinary regulations
This decisive measure comes as part of the Ministry of Education's efforts to instill a culture of discipline and diligence in the school environment. This step is based on the updated Code of Conduct and Attendance , which clearly stipulates a graduated approach to addressing absences, culminating in suspension if the permitted number is exceeded. Activating the "Suspension" icon in the Noor system is an advanced technological step aimed at achieving fairness and equality among students and ensuring that there is no leniency in the educational process, as regular attendance is a fundamental pillar of academic excellence.
Time changes due to weather conditions
In conjunction with the regulatory measures, the cold waves affecting some regions of the Kingdom created an exceptional situation that necessitated flexible administrative intervention to ensure student safety. Six educational districts implemented adjustments to the start times of exams
- Riyadh and Eastern Province: It has been decided that the tests will start at nine o'clock in the morning.
- Tabuk, Hail and Northern Borders regions: The departure was delayed until 10:00 AM to alleviate the severity of the cold in the early morning hours.
This flexibility reflects the keenness of education departments to provide a suitable psychological and physical environment for students to take their exams away from any climatic influences that may hinder their concentration.
A race against time to announce the results
On the operational front, teaching and administrative staff in boys' and girls' schools began the process of marking, reviewing, and verifying exam papers immediately after the daily exams concluded. Schools are working tirelessly to utilize school hours to record grades promptly through the "Noor" electronic system. These intensive efforts aim to ensure that final results for all grade levels are announced by the end of the school day next Thursday, allowing students and parents to access them accurately and transparently.
The importance of this stage and the aspirations of the holiday
This semester's exams are particularly important as they measure the culmination of intensive study and are part of the Kingdom's three-semester system designed to enhance educational efficiency. Following this busy week, the educational community eagerly anticipates the start of the nine-day mid-year break, providing students with an ideal opportunity to recharge and prepare for the second semester.
