"Students or their guardians shall take full responsibility in case they use social media and other electronic platforms to spread false or misleading information about the school, or hold the teachers or the school staff in contempt, or insult the school's administration," the guidelines read.

In the event of a violation, students will first receive a warning and may be subject to a one-week suspension as determined by a disciplinary committee. Additionally, they will be required to submit a written pledge not to repeat the violation.

Should a violation occur again, the disciplinary committee reserves the authority to transfer the student to a different class, and both the student and their guardian must publicly recant their allegations and issue an apology to the school on social media.

For a third violation, students may face a more severe penalty, including a two-week suspension and transfer to another school.

The guidelines also stipulate that in cases where a guardian is found to have committed the violation, they could face legal action initiated by the school.

The new guidelines for the new academic year 2023/24 were issued in a ministerial decree on 21 September and will take effect at the beginning of the new academic year on 30 September.

According to article three of the ministerial decree, the new guidelines aim to protect students, teachers, and the school community while creating a suitable educational environment.

No smartphones at school
 

The guidelines for the new academic year have maintained the prohibition on smartphones in schools for both students and teachers. 

Students and teachers are permitted to carry only basic phones without cameras or applications while at school, provided these devices are not used during class hours.

The decision took effect in public schools in the 2022-2023 academic year, Shady Zalata, the education ministry's spokesman, told Ahram Online. 

Ensuring school attendance
 

According to the guidelines, if a student arrives late to the morning assembly or fails to attend it without a valid reason three times, they will be required to provide a written commitment to improve their attendance. 

If the behaviour persists, they may be referred to the School Protection Committee and the student's behaviour grade may be reduced by no more than 10 percent, and a warning of a possible suspension for up to five days will be issued to the guardians.

If a student repeatedly arrives late to class without a valid excuse, their guardians will be contacted and the number of instances of tardiness will be recorded.

In cases of ongoing violations, the student will be brought before the School Protection Committee again, their behaviour grade may be reduced by a maximum of 15 percent, and a warning of a possible suspension for up to three days will be issued to the guardians.