Education: Preventing the merging of classes and enforcing discipline before exams
Education departments across Saudi Arabia have raised their alert levels to maximum as the final exams for the first semester approach. These intensified efforts aim to enforce school discipline and create a serious learning environment that ensures the efficient continuation of the educational process until the last class, with a strong emphasis on the strict application of student conduct and attendance regulations.
Historical context: Eliminating the phenomenon of "dead week"
These strict directives come as part of the Ministry of Education's ongoing efforts, spanning several years, to eliminate what was previously known as the "dead week" phenomenon—the period preceding final exams, which historically saw high rates of absenteeism and a decline in performance. Through these measures, the Ministry aims to change the prevailing culture among some students and parents, instilling the understanding that learning is continuous and effective until the very last day of the academic year. This reflects a qualitative shift in the management of educational time in Saudi schools.
Strict measures: Preventing the merging of classes and activating the Noor system
The new directives mandate that all schools and teaching staff strictly adhere to the established study plans, categorically prohibiting the merging of classes during this critical period, except in cases of extreme necessity and within the narrowest of regulatory limits. The instructions emphasized the importance of conducting classes according to their usual schedules to ensure students receive their full right to learning and review.
Disciplinary committees were also instructed to closely monitor absences and tardiness, ensuring real-time recording of absences and their verification against actual attendance via the "Noor" electronic system. Regulatory bodies emphasized that any manipulation or negligence in recording absences constitutes a serious violation warranting legal and administrative accountability for school leaders, as accurate monitoring is considered a key indicator of transparency and institutional evaluation.
Educational impact and quality of education targets
The importance of these measures extends beyond mere administration, encompassing profound educational and pedagogical dimensions. From an educational perspective, consistent attendance fosters values of responsibility and diligence in young people, essential life skills. From an academic standpoint, utilizing the final days for systematic review under teacher supervision contributes to improved academic performance and reduces pre-exam anxiety, thus ensuring equal opportunities and fairness for all learners.
These steps align with the objectives of the Human Capacity Development Program (one of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs), which focuses on improving educational outcomes and raising the efficiency of the education system to compete globally. To ensure the implementation of these policies, education departments have launched field teams and specialized committees to conduct surprise inspection visits, assess school readiness, and identify any violations to be addressed according to regulations.
