Abu Dhabi: The Saudi Human Rights Commission says schools and educational institutions should not resort to disciplinary action that deprives children of education, local media reported.
With preparations full swing for the new academic year across the Kingdom, the commission said: “Every child has the right to education, and authorities must take appropriate measures to facilitate this.
“No administrative action may prevent the child from enrolling them in schools, and efforts should be made to prevent early dropout of children from schools and work to encourage regular attendance.”
The watchdog confirmed parents are committed to enroll the child in school. Should the child not attend, theschool must investigate the reason and raise it if necessary with the authorities.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has said it will prosecute parents who don’t send their young children to school.
In a statement, the ministry said any parent with a child in primary school who has an absence rate of over 30 per cent will be referred to the centre of child abuse.
The country’s public prosecution said not providing a child with the opportunity to access education is a violation of the Kingdom’s child protection law.
Saudi Arabia will continue distance learning measures for students during the first seven weeks of the new academic year and will review a return to schools later, according to a statement from the Ministry of Education.
Saudi Arabia suspended in-person attendance at all schools, universities and educational institutions in the Kingdom on March 9, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Distance learning measures were implemented.
In April, the Kingdom’s Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al Sheikh said distance learning could eventually be a strategic choice for Saudi Arabia and not just an alternative following the coronavirus crisis period.
