The Ministry of Education prohibits school staff from appearing in the media without prior approval
The Saudi Ministry of Education has issued strict and decisive directives regarding media coverage within the education system, emphasizing that no education or school staff member is permitted to appear in the media, give press statements, or issue official statements representing the educational institution without prior official approval. This decision was made in direct and prior coordination with the Ministry's General Directorate of Corporate Communication or the relevant communication units in the regional education departments.
Governance context and media messaging control
This step comes as part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Ministry to implement the "Communication Governance Guide," a regulatory document aimed at unifying media discourse and ensuring consistency in messages issued by educational institutions. This step is of paramount importance given the rapid development of media outlets and social networks, where it has become essential to regulate the dissemination of information to ensure that facts reach the public accurately and to avoid individual interpretations that could lead to confusion among the audience or the spread of rumors and misinformation that could disrupt the educational process.
Official Spokesperson and Authorized Authorities
The Ministry clarified in its circular that the organizational guidelines precisely define the entities and individuals authorized to speak to the media. Accordingly, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Education is the primary voice representing the Ministry and authorized to make statements on its behalf, in addition to other Ministry leaders and those responsible for specific portfolios as officially assigned. At the regional level, the right to make statements within the General Directorates of Education is limited to the Directors General or their officially designated representatives, thus eliminating the haphazard nature of statements that may be issued by unauthorized administrative levels.
Strict measures for schools and their staff
Regarding schools, the guidelines emphasize the prohibition of school staff, including teachers and administrators, from making any media statements or participating in television or radio programs in their official capacities without prior written approval from the General Directorate of Education. These measures aim to protect the school and educational environment, ensure that any media participation is valuable and contributes to the educational process, and adheres strictly to established policies and regulations, avoiding any personal interpretations that could harm the Ministry's institutional image.
Approval mechanism and expected impact
The ministry has established a clear mechanism for obtaining approval, beginning with submitting a formal request to the General Directorate of Corporate Communication. This request must include details of the host organization, the date of the broadcast, and the proposed discussion topics. These requests are reviewed by a specialized team, which will respond within 24 hours. This regulation is expected to enhance the credibility of educational news, promote transparency and trustworthiness in communication with the community and parents, and solidify the educational institution's professional image as a disciplined government entity committed to the highest standards of administrative governance.
