Saudi Arabia tightens school rules, parents can be put behind bars for child's absence

In Saudi Arabia, parents of students who stay away from their schools for 20 days without a genuine reason might have to face jail. According to the Saudi newspaper, Makkah, the student's absence from school for 20 days without an excuse would hold their guardian to a public prosecution investigation under the kingdom's Child Protection Law.

After the investigation, the prosecutors would refer the case to the law court. During the trial, if a judge finds the guardian negligent towards their student’s absence, then the judge would issue a jail sentence of an appropriate term against the parent. This law has come to ensure “ideal studies” in the new academic year. 

Saudi Arabia to jail students' parents 

It is the responsibility of the school principal to report the case to the respective education department which would open an inquiry, reported Gulf News. The department would then direct the case to the Education Ministry. 

The student's testimony will be heard by a family care department which will determine the cause of absence from school. Before the matter is sent to the court for hearing, the parent would be referred to prosecution for inquiry. Regarding this new law in Saudi Arabia, there has been no immediate remark from the education authorities on the matter.  

This law was executed after 6 million students in different educational stages returned to school earlier this week across Saudi Arabia after a two-month summer vacation. The three-semester school year in the kingdom has been spread over 38 weeks and features 60 days of different holidays, in addition to a 68-day summer break.

The first semester would be till November 16, while the second semester would begin 10 days later and end on February 22. The third semester is scheduled to start on March 3 next year and end on June 10, according to the education authorities, reported Gulf News.