The Noor system will prevent absentees from taking exams and will adjust the timing due to the cold weather
Final exams for the first semester began this morning, Sunday, across Saudi Arabia, with approximately six million students heading to their classrooms to take the written tests. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education implemented a strict electronic procedure through the central "Noor" system, automatically closing the exam halls to students whose absences exceeded 18 days without a valid excuse.
Activating the ban via the Noor system
In a firm disciplinary message underscoring the Ministry's commitment to enforcing regulations and preventing any laxity in the educational process, the "ban" icon appeared in the Noor system, preventing students exceeding the permitted absence rate from entering examination halls. This measure is in accordance with the school discipline regulations and the rules of conduct and attendance, which aim to reinforce the values of commitment among students and ensure the educational process adheres to the highest quality standards.
Organizational context and the importance of school discipline
The Noor system is one of the most prominent digital transformation tools relied upon by the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom to connect all pillars of the educational process (students, teachers, parents, and school administration). The system's role is not limited to recording grades; it also includes meticulous monitoring of attendance and punctuality. This decisive step comes within the framework of the Ministry's efforts to raise the level of academic achievement, as educational studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between regular attendance and academic excellence, making the application of attendance regulations essential to ensuring educational fairness among students.
Time adjustments due to cold waves
Meanwhile, the cold weather conditions currently affecting the Kingdom have necessitated a change in exam schedules across six educational regions. To ensure the safety of students, education departments have implemented flexible measures, delaying the start of exams. Students in the Riyadh and Eastern Provinces began their exams at 9:00 AM, while education departments in the regions most affected by the low temperatures, specifically Tabuk, Hail, and the Northern Borders, were forced to postpone the start of exams until 10:00 AM.
Test procedures and results announcement
Exam halls in boys' and girls' schools witnessed a steady stream of students from the third grade of primary school to the third grade of secondary school from early morning, amidst the complete readiness of the organizing and supervisory committees. Immediately after the exams concluded, the teaching staff began the process of marking and meticulously reviewing the answer sheets, in accordance with the Ministry's directives to utilize official working hours to complete tasks promptly.
Schools have already begun recording grades through the Noor electronic system, racing against time to announce the final results for all students by the end of the school day next Thursday. Following this intensive week of classes, families and students are preparing to enjoy the nine-day mid-year break, offering a chance to relax and recharge before the start of the second semester.
