Education Ministry issues directive on handling serious student misconduct

Saudi Arabia's Education Ministry has released guidelines for managing serious student misconduct across primary, middle, and high schools. The directive covers fourth-degree behavioral issues, which include disrespectful behavior towards Islamic rituals, insults against the state or its symbols, sexual harassment, starting fires, smoking, possession of sharp objects, various forms of cybercrime, promoting homosexuality-related imagery, bullying, and distribution of prohibited media materials.

For primary schools, corrective measures involve notifying the student's guardians, establishing a behavior modification plan, and deducting 10 points from the student's positive behavior score. The guardian is required to acknowledge the plan in writing. The student must apologize, and the case is reviewed by the school counselor and guidance committee.

In high schools, if a student commits the same offense again, more severe interventions are applied, including potential transfer to another school. The guardian's opinion is sought for the new school placement, and ongoing support is provided by the counselor.