- Saudi Arabia has mandated that schools fund graduation and honor ceremonies from their sanctioned budgets
- This policy aims to eliminate unauthorized fees
- The initiative includes a requirement for uniform school attire
Principals directed to spend money for such events from their sanctioned school budgets. The policy seeks to eradicate unauthorized fees that could disadvantage pupils from lower-income groups, particularly for end-of-year celebrations.
Saudi Arabia has directed schools in the Kingdom to desist from collecting money from pupils or their parents for graduation or honor ceremonies, local media said, quoting official sources.
Under the directive, school principals are required to fund such activities from their allocated school budgets. The action is part of a larger initiative by the Ministry of Education to increase equity and decrease the financial burden on families.
The new policy seeks to remove informal or unapproved fees that can put lower-income students at a disadvantage, particularly during year-end celebrations.
The regulation accompanies another effort to solidify national identity with uniform school uniforms throughout the different grades.
According to the policy, elementary school boys have to dress in a traditional thobe and a shemagh or ghutra, with the agal being optional. Girls will have to wear a white blouse and a pink pinafore
