Riyadh, August 26: Parents in Saudi Arabia may face imprisonment if their children are absent from school for 20 consecutive days without a valid explanation. This move aligns with the nation's Child Protection Law and is intended to improve the standard of education in the upcoming academic term. Gulf News, Citing Makkah newspaper, reported that as per Saudi Arabian regulations if a student is absent from school for 20 days without a valid reason, their guardian might be called for an inquiry by the public prosecution in line with the country's Child Protection Law.

Upon completion of the inquiry, the matter would be escalated to a court of law. Should it be established that the parent's negligence led to the student's prolonged absence, the outlet said a judge would have the authority to impose a jail sentence of an appropriate term against the parent. The report further stated that this action is part of a broader initiative to ensure an environment conducive to "ideal studies" during the upcoming academic year. US School System Sues Meta, Google, Snapchat and TikTok Over Mental Health Crisis Among Students.

According to Gulf News, the legal process aimed at the guardian of the absentee student involves multiple phases. Initially, the school principal is responsible for notifying the relevant educational authorities triggering an investigation. Following this, the nation's Ministry of Education takes control of the case's progression. Subsequently, a department dedicated to family care would listen to the student's account, aiming to ascertain the reasons behind their school absence. Saudi Arabia: Women Can Now Perform Hajj and Umrah Without Mahram or Male Guardian.

There has been no swift reaction from education authorities regarding the reports mentioned. Over 6 million students in Saudi Arabia have resumed their studies following a two-month summer hiatus. In a notable advancement, the Saudi Ministry of Education has approved the inclusion of earth and space sciences in the secondary school curriculum, commencing from the academic year 1445 (2023-24).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2023 08:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).