In a move aimed at facilitating the educational process and supporting the principle of lifelong learning, education departments across Saudi Arabia have approved new and flexible regulations concerning the administration of distance learning exams . These amendments are designed to enable students who have exceeded the legal age for regular education to continue their studies, taking into account their employment and geographical circumstances, within a precise regulatory framework that ensures the quality of educational outcomes and the integrity of the exams.
Facilities for employees and support for job stability
The new guidelines allow employees enrolled in the distance learning program to take their exams at schools closest to their workplaces, rather than being restricted to their places of residence. This aims to balance employees' professional commitments with their academic aspirations, eliminating commuting difficulties and reducing wasted time and effort. Meanwhile, the existing system of directing non-employee students to schools closest to their residences remains in place.
To ensure the smooth running of work, educational authorities have linked the employee’s benefit from the “closeness to work” feature to the necessity of submitting an official approval letter from his employer, proving that he is allowed to continue his studies, which reflects integration between the education sector and the various work sectors to ensure that academic ambition does not conflict with official working hours and productivity.
General context and importance of the decision
These decisions align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which focuses on developing human capital and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. Historically, the affiliation system has been the primary gateway for many employees to advance their careers and enhance their skills. These new facilitations are a strong incentive to reduce dropout rates among older age groups, which will positively impact the quality of the national workforce.
Technical integration with "Absher" and regulating the acceptance of residents
As part of its digital governance and standards-setting efforts, the Ministry of Education has tightened its procedures regarding resident and visiting students. Resident students or their guardians are now required to access the Absher platform to print proof of entry and residency within the Kingdom for the current academic year. Submitting these documents to the school administration is a fundamental requirement for entering examination halls, ensuring that the student is physically present in Saudi Arabia and receiving their education in accordance with established regulations.
The ministry has set a strict deadline for submitting the "Absher" documents, stipulating that they must be submitted at least four weeks before the start of the first and second semester exams. This procedure gives schools ample time to verify the data and confirm student eligibility, while also granting school principals immediate authority to exclude any student found to be non-resident, except in cases of short, unavoidable travel not exceeding two weeks.
Academic Equivalency Regulations
On the academic front, the Ministry of Education mandated that resident students submit their original academic documents for accurate equivalency assessments to determine their appropriate grade level. The Ministry also clarified the issue of vocational certificates, confirming that secondary school transfer certificates in vocational specializations are not recognized in the general education system. Only the most recent general education certificate is considered, thus maintaining the academic standards of the Saudi secondary school certificate.
