Ministry of Education issues directive on behavior and discipline in schools
- Prohibition of fundraising, accepting donations, and exploiting school facilities for personal benefit
- Strict regulations on school canteens and full compliance with approved health requirements
- Mandating schools to monitor canteens daily, document violations, and report them
- Prohibition of holding events or conducting photography inside schools without prior official approvals
- Prohibition of hosting external entities or individuals without approval from competent authorities
- Prohibition of photographing students and publishing their images or personal data without written consent
- Prohibition of disclosing school documents or misusing students’ information
- Prohibition of issuing statements or publishing content in the name of the Ministry or schools without official authorization
- Prohibition of using mobile phones and smart devices during classes for non-educational purposes
Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Khaled Al-Rashid issued a circular regarding “Regulations and Prohibitions on Conduct and Behavior within Schools,” which includes a set of rules governing professional, administrative, and educational practices, emphasizing that all schools must adhere to them.
The Ministry of Education stated on Wednesday that this initiative aims to strengthen a safe and disciplined learning environment, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility in the educational field, preserve the dignity of students and staff, safeguard public funds and data privacy, and ensure the smooth operation of school activities.
The Ministry emphasized that the circular reinforces compliance with existing regulations and systems, promotes sound professional conduct, aligns with the educational role and mission of the institution in building future generations, and provides a safe and motivating school environment for learning and work.
The circular mandates all schools, teaching and administrative staff, and all employees to adhere to a set of regulations and prohibitions, including the ban on collecting money, accepting cash or in-kind donations, or any other contributions from teachers, administrators, students, or parents for any purpose.
The circular also prohibits the sale or promotion of goods or services to students and staff, or exploiting one’s position or school facilities for personal or material gain, whether for oneself or others. It further stresses that no purchases, contracts, disbursements, or collections may be conducted except in accordance with established regulations and controls.
Regarding school canteens, the Ministry of Education stressed the prohibition of selling, distributing, or introducing food or beverages from unapproved sources into schools for any reason. It also banned operating canteens or offering products that do not comply with the regulations for school canteens or the circulars issued by the General Authority for Food and Nutrition and the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry emphasized the necessity of complying with regulations governing food distribution during events, in accordance with Ministry of Health Decision No. (15) of 2025 regarding the issuance of the School Canteens Regulations. This requires verifying the source, safety, and storage methods of food items, ensuring they meet health standards, alongside daily supervision and monitoring of canteen operations. This includes confirming the regularity of service, quality, and safety of food and beverages, and their compliance with regulations governing school canteens, as per Ministry of Health Decision No. (15) of 2025 issued on May 28, 2025, and Circular No. (23) of 2025 issued by the Assistant Undersecretary for General Education on September 21, 2025.
The Ministry emphasized the necessity of preparing a daily monitoring log for the school cafeteria, to be approved by the school principal. This log must record all violations, regardless of their nature, including the non-compliance of displayed items with standards, the failure of cafeteria staff to meet health requirements, or any other infractions.
A designated officer from the team responsible for the school cafeteria must be appointed to periodically report violations identified through monitoring activities to inspectors from the General Authority for Food and Nutrition, in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the aforementioned Minister of Health decision.
The Ministry of Education stressed the need to enforce the conditions stipulated in cafeteria contracts. A warning must be issued to the contractor managing the school, requiring them to rectify the violation within a specified period of no less than three working days from the date of the warning. Failure to comply will result in contract termination penalties, in accordance with applicable regulations.
Regarding events, activities, and photography within schools, the Ministry clarified that the circular prohibits organizing any event, activity, or celebration that involves hosting individuals from outside the Ministry of Education, or conducting any photography inside the school premises, without prior explicit written approval from the competent authority within the Ministry.
Coordination, contracting, or hosting any entity, institution, or individual from outside the Ministry to conduct any activity is prohibited without the approval of the relevant authorities. All activities and events must be limited to achieving clear educational and pedagogical objectives and must be approved as part of the school plan.
The Ministry of Education affirmed the prohibition of using the school’s name or the Ministry of Education’s logo in any publications, advertisements, or commercial sponsorships without obtaining the required administrative and official approvals and coordination.
Regarding the use of social media, the Ministry stressed the prohibition of exploiting one’s official position or discussing Ministry of Education affairs for any reason, particularly the photography of the Ministry’s facilities or employees and the subsequent publication of such images.
Furthermore, it is prohibited to photograph, record, publish images of, or disseminate the data of students without prior written approval that meets all regulatory requirements. Students’ images must not be shared via private accounts or communication groups, nor should they be linked to personal information or used for purposes other than their designated educational intent.
The Ministry affirmed the prohibition of disclosing or leaking school secrets, data, documents, or information pertaining to students, parents, and staff. It also forbids requesting information unrelated to official duties or misusing such information. Issuing statements, publishing news, or sharing content in the name of the Ministry or the school, or using their logos in advertisements or personal pages, is prohibited unless official permission is obtained from the competent authority.
The circular strongly emphasized the prohibition of publishing rumors, incorrect information, or any content offensive to the Ministry of Education, schools, students, or staff, via social media or other means.
The Ministry of Education clarified that organizing any event without obtaining the required approvals from the competent authorities constitutes an administrative violation, warranting immediate referral for investigation to the Ministry’s Legal Affairs Department and the application of prescribed disciplinary penalties in accordance with regulations and bylaws.
The Ministry underscored the importance of full adherence to professionalism and maintaining proper conduct in all actions, stemming from the elevated role and noble mission of the educational institution in building generations and shaping societal awareness. It emphasized the belief that teachers and administrators serve as primary role models for students, and stressed the commitment to professional responsibility in performing official duties with integrity and dedication, while striving for continuous performance improvement to serve the educational process.
It further added that the circular emphasized the necessity of upholding exemplary conduct and proper behavior, embodying ethical and educational values in daily interactions, and avoiding anything that could compromise the honor or diminish the prestige of the profession. It also stressed the importance of pedagogical engagement with learners, fostering relationships based on mutual respect, safeguarding their physical and psychological well-being, and refraining from any behavior that falls outside the established educational framework.
The circular underscored the importance of promoting mutual respect within the work environment, cultivating a spirit of cooperation and collegiality among members of both the teaching and administrative staff, and resolving disputes through official and administrative channels. It also called for adherence to administrative discipline, compliance with official working hours and prevailing regulations and systems, and the protection of the educational institution’s property and assets.
It stipulated that teaching staff must refrain from using mobile phones or smart devices during class hours for non-educational purposes, in a manner that does not affect the performance of their duties or disrupt the flow of the lesson.
The Ministry required school administrations to inform all employees of the circular’s content, document their acknowledgment of it, and make it available in a prominent location and through official communication channels. Furthermore, school administrations are tasked with immediately halting any violations when necessary to ensure safety, preserving evidence, preparing an official incident report, and escalating the matter through the administrative hierarchy to the competent authority. Accordingly, the circular abrogates all internal directives that conflict with its provisions, and it shall take effect from the date of its issuance, with relevant authorities responsible for its implementation within their respective jurisdictions.
