10-year jail term, nearly Rs30m fine for assaulting teacher in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Education ministry says Guidelines will be formulated for staff members of educational institutions

Saudi Arabia has enacted a law by which the assault of a faculty member of a school will result in a fine of one million Riyal (approximately Rs30 million), as well as, a jail term or both, according to The Saudi Gazette.

The decision came during a debate, chaired by Minister of Education Ahmed al Issa, on strategic guidelines to protect educational institutions and their staff.

"Any physical attack against any of the ministry's staff will be considered a homicidal crime that warrants imprisonment and fine," the newspaper reported.

Replying to a question regarding appointing bodyguards in boys and girls schools, the minister said it was under consideration.



"We are planning to install more surveillance cameras in schools at all educational levels," adding that the guidelines were prepared in consultation with legal experts with necessary revisions made to it by the ministry's legal department.

The ministry also stated that a set of guidelines will also be formulated for staff members of educational institutions to build a culture of mutual respect and positive interaction.

Recently, a video of a teacher beating up a student in Saudi went viral on social media, prompting authorities to take immediate action against the teacher.