Saudi parents could face jail for kids’ absence from school

Under Saudi Arabia’s Child Protection Law, parents of students who stay away from their schools for 20 days without an acceptable reason could face imprisonment.

The student’s absence without an excuse could make the guardian liable to an inquiry by prosecutors, according to Makkah newspaper.

After finalising the probe, public prosecution shall refer the case to the law court where the judge can issue a prison sentence if the guardian is found to have been negligent.

Saudi Students Return As New School Year Begins

The move comes in line with efforts to ensure “ideal studies” in the new academic year, the report added. Over six million Saudi students returned to school earlier this week.
It follows a two-month summer vacation. Saudi Arabia’s three-semester academic year involves 38 weeks of education and features 60-day different holidays, apart from the summer break.

As per an official schedule, the first semester continues till November 16, followed by a second semester, which begins 10 days later and ends on February 22.

The third is scheduled to commence on March 3 and run until June 10. The ongoing school year now includes new subjects such as earth sciences and space in the secondary school stage.

Law Court Empowered To Issue ‘Appropriate” Jail Term

In relation to the legal action against the guardian of the absentee student, the school principal is to alert the respective education department of the case.

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The department would then refer the same to the Ministry of Education. Later, a family care department would hear the student’s testimony to identify the reason behind the absence.

Public prosecution would then investigate the guardian before referring the case to the court where the judge holds the power to hand down a prison sentence of an appropriate term.