Saudi Arabian schools witnessed a pivotal event in the realm of school discipline this Sunday morning, as the Ministry of Education implemented a decisive electronic procedure through the central "Noor" system. This procedure automatically closed the examination halls to students whose absences exceeded 18 days without a valid excuse. This measure coincided with the return of approximately six million students to their classrooms to take their end-of-term exams, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to enforcing regulations.
Digital transformation to enhance school discipline
The activation of the "exclusion" icon in the Noor system is part of a broader strategy adopted by the Ministry of Education to enhance school discipline and reduce absenteeism, which negatively impacts academic achievement. This direct technological link between monitoring absences and exclusion from exams represents a qualitative leap in managing the educational process. The system ensures fairness and equality among all students based on accurate digital data, eliminating subjective interpretations and reinforcing a sense of responsibility among both students and parents.
Administrative flexibility in the face of cold waves
Despite the strict enforcement of attendance regulations, the Ministry of Education demonstrated remarkable flexibility in addressing the challenging weather conditions, as the severe cold waves imposed exceptional circumstances regarding exam times. Education departments in six educational regions issued directives to adjust exam start times. Students in the Riyadh and Eastern Provinces began their exams at 9:00 AM, while education departments in the regions most affected by the sharp drop in temperatures, specifically Tabuk, Hail, and the Northern Borders, were forced to delay the start until 10:00 AM to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
A race against time to announce the results
On the ground, examination halls in boys' and girls' schools witnessed a smooth start to the exams from early morning, with the organizing and supervisory committees fully prepared. Immediately after the exams concluded, teaching staff began the process of marking and meticulously reviewing answer sheets, in accordance with the Ministry's directives to utilize official working hours to complete these tasks. Schools are currently working against the clock to record grades immediately through the "Noor" system, in preparation for announcing the final results for all students by the end of the school day next Thursday.
Families and students are looking forward to the end of this intensive school week to begin the mid-year break, which will last for nine days, providing an ideal opportunity to catch their breath and recharge in preparation for the next semester.
