Minister of Education issues a decision regarding the regulation of the positions of Principal and Assistant Principal in Arab private schools

The Ministry of Education confirmed that the decision comes within the framework of organizing the mechanisms for filling the two positions, specifying the requirements and controls that candidates must meet, as well as regulating the nomination and accreditation procedures, and defining competencies, authorities, and responsibilities, thereby enhancing the efficiency of school management and unifying the regulatory frameworks for work in the relevant private schools.

The Ministry clarified that Article One of the decision stipulates that private Arab and model schools must appoint a school principal and an assistant principal for each educational stage included in the school’s license, in accordance with the provisions of the decision.

It was explained that Article Two specified the eligibility criteria for the position of school principal, the foremost of which is that the candidate must hold an accredited academic qualification in education, have at least 14 years of experience in the field of education, be of good character and reputation, and not have been previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been restored. Additionally, the candidate must have previously held a supervisory position and must pass the personal interview conducted by the General Directorate of Private Education.

The Ministry added that Article Three specified the eligibility criteria for the position of assistant school principal, requiring the candidate to hold an accredited academic qualification in education, have at least 10 years of experience in the field of education, be of good character and reputation, not have been previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust unless their reputation has been restored, have previously held a supervisory position, and pass the personal interview conducted by the General Directorate of Private Education.

The Ministry of Education pointed out that Article Four assigned to the school the responsibility of nominating candidates who meet the requirements for the position, preparing a comprehensive file for them that includes academic qualifications, experience certificates, and documents and data specified by the General Directorate of Private Education, and submitting it to the Directorate to complete the accreditation procedures.

The Ministry noted that Article Five stipulated that the General Directorate of Private Education would study the candidate’s file, verify compliance with the required conditions and documents, conduct a personal interview with the candidate, and reserve the right to request any additional documents or data deemed necessary to complete the nomination procedures.

The Ministry stated that Article Six defined the responsibilities of school principals and assistant school principals in private schools covered by the decision, whereby holders of the two positions would exercise the competencies, duties, and responsibilities assigned to them under the decisions, regulations, systems, and instructions in force in the Ministry of Education, each within their respective scope of authority.

It was explained that Article Seven granted the school principal the authorities assigned to the position of school principal in government schools, including the authority to register, admit, and transfer students, authority over the student record system, and all other authorities assigned to him under the systems, regulations, and decisions in force in the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education added that the assistant school principal would act on behalf of the school principal in exercising his competencies and authorities during his absence, within the limits determined by the systems, regulations, and decisions in force.

It was clarified that Article Nine mandated that the competent authorities implement the decision, which would take effect from the date of its issuance, repealing any previous decisions that conflict with it.