New public education law bans assigning students tasks based on personal judgment

Saudi Arabia’s new public education law prohibits assigning students any tasks arising from the personal judgment of teachers or administrative staff within educational institutions if such tasks do not comply with the system’s rules and regulations. This measure is part of a broader set of rights guaranteed to students under the new law.

Article 38 states that, in addition to rights granted under other laws and international agreements, students are entitled to an educational environment that enables academic achievement, ensures their psychological, physical, and intellectual safety, and protects them from all forms of abuse.

The article also affirms students’ right to have their complaints heard, recorded, and addressed, as well as to receive primary healthcare within the educational institution.

The law specifically forbids assigning students any work resulting from the individual discretion of teachers or administrative staff if it does not conform to the system’s provisions and regulations.

The law guarantees students the right to receive material and moral rewards for excellence, according to established guidelines, and stipulates their right to obtain a certificate of completion for the academic year without any conditions.

Conversely, the law obliges students to respect teachers, administrative staff, and peers, adhere to attendance and departure times, strive in their studies and assignments, refrain from damaging school property and equipment, and comply with codes of conduct and attendance.

The law also requires the Ministry of Education to establish rules for student conduct and attendance, procedures for handling violations, and mechanisms to ensure students can continue their education if circumstances prevent them from completing their studies.