Deputy Minister of Education issues a directive to regulate behavior and enhance discipline in schools
- Prohibition on fundraising, accepting donations, and exploiting school facilities for personal gain
- Strict regulations for school cafeterias, banning food from unapproved sources, and daily monitoring of violations
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- Prohibition on photography without approvals, protection of learners’ data, and referring event-related violations to investigation
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Khaled Al-Rashid, issued a circular regarding “regulations and prohibitions on work and conduct within schools,” which includes a set of rules governing professional, administrative, and educational practices, emphasizing the necessity for all schools to comply with them.
The Ministry of Education stated on Wednesday that the circular aims to enhance a safe and disciplined educational environment, and to consolidate the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility in the educational field. This ensures the preservation of the dignity of learners and staff, safeguards public funds and data privacy, and guarantees the smooth operation of school activities.
The circular was issued based on Ministerial Decision No. 151 of 2026 concerning the Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Education, decisions regulating health and nutritional requirements, Ministry of Finance Decision No. 271 of 2022 regarding regulations for accepting donations and contributions, and Public Service Bureau Circular No. 2 of 2021 concerning the code of conduct for government entity employees.
The Ministry emphasized that the circular aims to strengthen compliance with existing regulations and systems, and to consolidate proper professional behavior, aligning with the educational role of the institution and its mission to build generations, while providing a safe school environment that stimulates learning and work.
It clarified that the circular obligates all schools, members of the teaching and administrative staff, and all employees to adhere to a set of regulations and prohibitions. These include banning the collection of monetary amounts or acceptance of cash, in-kind, or other donations within the school from teachers, administrators, learners, or parents for any purpose.
It also prohibited the sale of goods or services to learners and staff, or promoting and advertising them, and the exploitation of one’s position or school facilities to achieve any personal or material benefit for oneself or others. It stressed that no purchasing, contracting, disbursement, or collection operations should be conducted except in accordance with established regulations and controls.
Regarding school cafeterias, the Ministry stressed the prohibition of selling, distributing, or introducing food or beverages from unapproved sources into the school for any reason. It also banned operating the cafeteria or offering products that do not comply with the regulations for school cafeterias or circulars issued by the General Authority for Food and Nutrition and the Ministry of Education.
It emphasized the necessity of complying with regulations governing food distributions during events, in accordance with Ministry of Health Decision No. 15 of 2025 concerning the issuance of the school cafeteria regulations, after verifying the source, food safety, storage methods, and compliance with health requirements. This is alongside daily supervision and follow-up of cafeteria operations to ensure the regular provision of services, and the quality, safety, and compliance of food and beverages with relevant circulars.
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It pointed out the necessity of preparing a daily follow-up register for the school cafeteria, approved by the school principal, which records all violations of any kind, including non-compliance of displayed items or lack of health requirements among cafeteria staff, among other violations.
Furthermore, a designated officer from the team responsible for the school cafeteria must be appointed to periodically report violations resulting from follow-up activities to inspectors of the General Authority for Food and Nutrition, in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the aforementioned Ministry of Health decision.
The Ministry emphasized the necessity of enforcing the terms of canteen contracts and issuing a warning to the contractor with the school administration to rectify the violation within a specified period of no less than three working days from the date of the warning. In the event of non-compliance, the contract will be terminated in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Regarding events, activities, and photography within schools, the Ministry clarified that the circular prohibits organizing any event, activity, or celebration that hosts individuals from outside the Ministry of Education, or conducting any photography within the school premises, without first obtaining explicit written approval from the competent authority within the Ministry.
Coordination, contracting, or hosting any entity, institution, or individuals from outside the Ministry to conduct any activity is also prohibited without the approval of the relevant authorities. 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 stressed 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 emphasized the prohibition of exploiting one’s official position or discussing matters related to the Ministry of Education for any reason, particularly the photography of the Ministry’s offices or employees and the subsequent publication of such images.
The Ministry also prohibited photographing, recording, publishing images of, or disseminating the data of students without first obtaining written consent that meets the required standards. It further banned sharing students’ images via personal accounts or communication groups, linking students’ images with their personal information, or using such images for purposes other than their intended educational use.
The Ministry affirmed the prohibition of disclosing or leaking school secrets, data, documents, or the information of students, parents, and staff, as well as requesting information unrelated to work or misusing such information. It also forbade issuing statements, publishing news, or sharing content in the name of the Ministry or the school, or using their logos in advertisements and personal pages, unless official permission is obtained from the competent authority.
The circular stressed 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 clarified that organizing any event without obtaining the required approvals from the competent authorities constitutes an administrative violation that warrants immediate referral for investigation to the Legal Affairs Department within the Ministry, along with the application of prescribed disciplinary penalties in accordance with regulations and bylaws.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of full adherence to professionalism and adopting proper conduct in all actions, stemming from the high role and noble mission of the educational institution in building generations and shaping societal awareness. It underscored the belief that teachers and administrators serve as primary role models for students, requiring them to fulfill their professional duties with integrity and dedication, while striving to continuously improve performance to serve the educational process.
Furthermore, the circular stressed the necessity of exemplifying good conduct and proper behavior, embodying ethical and pedagogical values in daily interactions, and avoiding anything that might compromise the honor or diminish the prestige of the profession. It also called for pedagogical treatment of students, building relationships based on mutual respect, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being, and avoiding any behavior that falls outside the accepted educational framework.
The circular emphasized the importance of fostering mutual respect in the workplace and cultivating a spirit of cooperation and collegiality among members of the teaching and administrative staff, resolving disputes through official and approved administrative channels, adhering to administrative discipline, observing official working hours, complying with prevailing regulations and systems, and safeguarding the educational institution’s assets and property.
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 professional duties or disrupt the flow of instruction.
The Ministry of Education affirmed that any actions or behaviors that contravene regulations and bylaws or fall outside the bounds of sound professional practices within schools will not be tolerated, and appropriate legal and administrative measures will be promptly taken against any violations.
The Ministry mandated school administrations to inform all staff members of the circular’s contents, document their acknowledgment of it, and make it available in a prominent location and through official communication channels. School administrations are also responsible for immediately halting any violation when necessary to ensure safety, preserving evidence, preparing an incident report, and escalating the matter through the administrative chain of command to the competent authority.
Accordingly, the circular abrogated 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.
