Education Minister: Private Schools Mandated to Appoint Principal and Assistant
The Minister of Education issued a decree mandating private schools to appoint a principal and an assistant, with strict conditions set for experience and qualifications.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Minister of Education, Engineer Sayed Jalal Al-Tabatabai, issued a decision regarding the regulation of the positions of school principal and assistant school principal in private Arab, non-governmental, and model schools. The decision comprises nine articles that organize the mechanisms for nomination and accreditation, define competencies and authorities, thereby enhancing school management efficiency and supporting the quality of the educational process, as well as administrative and pedagogical discipline.
The decision obligates private Arab, non-governmental, and model schools to appoint a principal and an assistant principal for each educational stage included in the school’s license, in accordance with the controls and conditions specified in the decision.
The decision outlined the nomination conditions for the position of school principal, foremost among which is holding an accredited academic qualification in education, having no less than 14 years of experience in the field of education, and having previously held a supervisory position. Additionally, the candidate must have a good reputation and conduct, and must not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been restored. Candidates must also pass a personal interview conducted by the General Administration of Private Education.
Regarding the position of assistant school principal, the decision stipulated that the candidate must hold an accredited academic qualification in education, have no less than 10 years of experience in education, and have previously held a supervisory position. The candidate must also meet the conditions of good conduct and reputation, not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust unless their reputation has been restored, and pass a personal interview conducted by the General Administration of Private Education.
The decision assigned to private schools the responsibility of nominating individuals who meet the conditions for these two positions and preparing a comprehensive file for each candidate. This file must include academic qualifications, experience certificates, and documents and data specified by the General Administration of Private Education, which the school must submit to the administration to complete the accreditation procedures.
The General Administration of Private Education is responsible for studying the candidates’ files, verifying that they meet the required conditions and documentation, conducting personal interviews with them, and retaining the right to request any additional documents or data deemed necessary to complete the nomination procedures.
The decision defined the responsibilities of school principals and assistant school principals, stipulating that incumbents of these positions shall exercise the competencies, tasks, and responsibilities prescribed by the decisions, regulations, systems, and instructions in force in the Ministry of Education, each within their respective scope of authority. The decision granted the school principal the authorities assigned to the position of principal in government schools, including the authority to register, admit, and transfer students, authority over the student record system, and all other authorities granted to them under the systems, regulations, and decisions in force in the Ministry of Education.
The decision provided that the assistant school principal shall act on behalf of the school principal in exercising their competencies and authorities during the principal’s absence, within the limits set by the systems, regulations, and decisions in force.
The decision assigned the General Administration of Private Education the responsibility of monitoring the extent to which private schools comply with its provisions and taking necessary measures against non-compliant schools.
Article Nine stipulated that the competent authorities shall implement the decision, which shall take effect from the date of its issuance, repealing any previous decisions that conflict with it.
