Education: Preventing the merging of classes and enforcing discipline before exams
Education departments across Saudi Arabia have declared a state of maximum alert as the countdown to the final exams for the first semester begins. These measures are part of a strict ministerial plan aimed at enforcing school discipline and combating pre-exam absenteeism, with a focus on strictly enforcing attendance deductions for students absent without a valid excuse.
Context of combating "dead week"
These stricter measures are part of the Ministry of Education's ongoing strategy to eliminate what was previously known as "dead week"—the period preceding exams that typically sees student absenteeism and a decline in academic performance. Through these directives, the Ministry aims to instill a culture of discipline and diligence, emphasizing that the educational process is cumulative and continues until the final lesson of the approved timetable, thus ensuring the achievement of the targeted learning outcomes for each course.
Preventing the merging of classes and adhering to the plans
In a move aimed at maintaining classroom stability, educational authorities issued firm directives categorically prohibiting the merging of classes during this critical period, except in cases of extreme necessity and within the narrowest of established regulations. The directives mandated that all teachers strictly adhere to the curriculum plans and conduct classes according to their usual schedules until the day before exams, to ensure the completion of the curriculum and allow ample opportunity for final reviews, which are essential for student preparation.
The role of the "Noor" system and field monitoring
The instructions emphasized the need for complete accuracy in recording absences, directing schools to match students' actual attendance with the data entered in the "Noor" electronic system. Supervisory authorities considered any negligence or manipulation in recording absences a serious violation warranting administrative and legal accountability for school leaders. To ensure the implementation of these instructions, education departments deployed field teams and supervisory committees to conduct surprise inspections aimed at assessing student discipline and school readiness for exams.
Educational and strategic impact
Educational experts believe that this administrative firmness positively impacts the educational environment by providing a climate that supports students' psychological and mental well-being and ensures equal opportunities and fairness among them. This initiative also aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 related to improving education and raising the efficiency of the educational system, as school discipline is a key indicator of the quality of institutional performance and the extent of schools' adherence to national education standards.
