Manama: Saudi Arabia said it would apply a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who takes pictures of students or teachers without proper authorisation from the education district.
The warning, issued by the education ministry, was directed to all school staff members and students as well as parents visiting schools.
School regulations state that taking pictures of students is a violation of educational practices and students’ rights, and could be treated as an offence under electronic crimes [laws], the ministry was quoted as saying by Saudi daily Al Watan on Wednesday.
Under Saudi school regulations, students are not allowed to carry mobile phones with cameras into schools.
Punishment will be meted out to any student who does not comply with the regulations regarding the use of mobile phones in elementary, middle and high schools, the ministry said.
Punishments range from making the student sign a pledge not to repeat the offence in order to avoid further measures to reducing their grades.
More serious offences, which include taking pictures with the intention to blackmail or harm students, could result in suspensions from classes for up to one month and transferring the offender to another school.
School violations in Saudi Arabia also include using violence against students, assaulting a school staff member, selling non-healthy food and non-compliance of rules and regulations.
Most social media users agreed with the decisions, saying that there was a need to ensure there is no slide towards chaos as a result of the offensive and manipulative use of cameras on school grounds and inside classrooms.
Some users, however, said that the cameras could be used as evidence against abuses by teachers or students.
