Study guidelines during Ramadan: No combining of classes and no early dismissal
The Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued firm and binding directives to all schools, aimed at regulating the educational process during the holy month of Ramadan, stressing the need to allocate 5% of class time to implement interactive activities, while imposing a complete and strict ban on combining classes or allowing students to leave early under any pretext.
An educational context to promote discipline
This step comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to address the challenges that typically face the educational field during Ramadan. In previous years, attendance rates have fluctuated, and there have been repeated calls for reduced school hours. These new directives underscore a shift in educational policy towards focusing on the quality of education and the optimal use of time, rather than simply reducing hours. This aims to ensure that students' academic performance is not negatively impacted by lifestyle changes during the holy month, aligning with the Kingdom's educational development goals to enhance the efficiency of the educational system.
Details of the implementation plan
The ministry adopted a detailed implementation plan comprising four main tracks to ensure the effective continuation of studies. These tracks included instructional time, promoting values and positive behavior, activating student activities, and maintaining regular communication with families. The ministry directed that the 5% of class time deducted, along with extracurricular activity periods, be utilized to implement quality programs that develop skills and instill values, in accordance with approved organizational guidelines.
Prevent combining classes and adhere to the schedule
The instructions emphasized the need for strict adherence to the scheduled class times without any reduction, categorically prohibiting the merging of students into combined classes or dismissing them before the official dismissal time. They affirmed that the class will continue even if only one student is present. The Ministry also mandated that teaching staff monitor the implementation of the curriculum in its entirety and plan lessons in advance to focus on essential skills and concepts.
Educational and pedagogical impact
This administrative approach is expected to contribute to strengthening the value of discipline among young people and instilling the concept of respecting time, work, and learning as fundamental and integral values of fasting. The plan also aims to create an attractive school environment by implementing programs that promote positive behavior, thereby increasing self-discipline and transforming the school into a stimulating learning environment, rather than merely a place to wait.
partnership with the family
The directives focused on the pivotal role of the family, obligating schools to send weekly and quarterly plans to parents that include targeted activities and values, while activating parent councils to ensure a genuine partnership in monitoring achievement, stressing that the success of this plan depends on the integration of roles between the school and the home to ensure the quality of educational outcomes.
