Penalties for the Madrasati platform: Security pursuit and grade deductions for violators
In light of the weather fluctuations affecting several regions of Saudi Arabia, which necessitated the suspension of in-person classes and their transition to remote learning, the Ministry of Education affirmed that virtual classrooms via the "My School" platform are subject to the same strict disciplinary standards applied in traditional schools. The Ministry emphasized that the shift to a digital environment does not, in any way, imply any leniency in enforcing regulations; rather, it requires a heightened commitment to the values of digital citizenship and proper conduct.
Activating Article 27: No leniency for serious violations
The Ministry clarified that Article 27 of the Code of Conduct and Attendance, which pertains to fifth-degree violations in middle and high school, is fully applicable in the e-learning environment. This list includes a number of serious violations that affect community security and the safety of the educational environment, most notably:
- Insulting the divine being, the heavenly religions, or the rituals of Islam.
- Insulting the symbols of the state or its policies, or adopting and promoting extremist and atheistic ideas.
- Engaging in cyberbullying, blackmail, or sexual harassment in all its forms.
- Publishing anything that promotes racism or tribal and sectarian prejudices.
- Promoting drugs or alcohol, or publishing pornographic content or promoting homosexuality.
- Committing any of the cybercrimes stipulated in the Saudi regulations.
Gradual punitive and educational measures
The ministry has established a clear roadmap for addressing these violations, beginning with documenting the incident in an official report by the school administration and immediately notifying the parent. Direct penalties include deducting 15 points from the student's conduct grade and enrolling them in a remedial educational program aimed at modifying their behavior.
If educational procedures are exhausted, or if the violation falls under the category of serious crimes, the matter is escalated to the competent security authorities, in addition to contacting the Family Violence Reporting Center “1919” to complete the regulatory procedures, which reflects the Ministry’s seriousness in protecting the digital educational environment.
The context of digital transformation and the importance of discipline
This emphasis comes at a time when the Kingdom has made significant strides in e-learning, with the "My School" platform becoming a global model for ensuring the continuity of education during crises. Educational experts believe that strictly enforcing these rules is essential for fostering "digital citizenship" among young people, a key objective of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to build a technologically aware and responsible generation.
The ministry concluded its directives by emphasizing that the responsibility is shared between the school and the family, calling on parents to monitor their children’s digital behavior and guide them towards the safe and responsible use of technology, to ensure that the educational process proceeds safely and with high efficiency.
