Education tackles absenteeism: Electronic pledges and remedial plans 1446

In a decisive step aimed at enhancing the quality of the educational process and ensuring its adherence to the highest standards, the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of school discipline as a fundamental pillar for building a sustainable and successful learning environment. These measures are part of the procedural plan for the 1446 AH academic year, prepared by the General Directorate of Student Guidance, to instill a culture of commitment and responsibility in both students and parents.

The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030

These new measures cannot be separated from the overall context of educational development in the Kingdom within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. Mass absenteeism, especially in the weeks leading up to exams or official holidays, has long been a challenge facing the education system, negatively impacting learning outcomes and wasting school hours. Therefore, the complete reliance on the Noor system for monitoring and tracking represents a qualitative shift from traditional procedures to precise digital governance, ensuring transparency and speed in addressing absence cases.

Monitoring and follow-up mechanisms via the Noor system

The new plan stipulates the activation of daily monitoring tools for absences and tardiness through the Noor electronic system, with a strong focus on critical periods before exams and holidays. The Ministry did not stop at monitoring; it also directed the formation of specialized school discipline committees in education departments and schools. These committees are tasked with analyzing absence indicators and identifying schools with high absentee rates to provide them with the necessary support through "improvement and development" teams.

Innovative preventive and therapeutic measures

The current plan is characterized by its comprehensiveness, as it does not focus solely on punishment but also on educational and psychological solutions, and includes:

• Electronic pledges: Parents and students are required to electronically sign the rules of conduct and attendance to ensure awareness and compliance.
• Treatment plans: Providing psychological and educational support to students with frequent absences to address the root causes of the problem, whether social or psychological.
• Promoting positive behavior: Recognizing schools and students who excel in discipline to serve as role models for others, creating a positive competitive environment.

Importance and expected impact

These strict measures are expected to contribute to raising students' academic achievement, as educational studies indicate a strong correlation between regular attendance and academic excellence. Locally, this discipline enhances the efficiency of the Saudi education system and reduces financial and administrative waste. In the long term, instilling values ​​of discipline and punctuality in young people contributes to preparing a responsible generation capable of actively participating in the labor market and contributing to comprehensive national development.

The ministry concluded its directives by emphasizing the pivotal role of the family, calling on parents to cooperate closely with schools and to follow up on their children’s reports through digital platforms, to ensure the achievement of the desired educational goals.