Article 19 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
المادة 19 من نظام الدفاع المدني
Article 19 provides for teaching the principles of civil defense at all stages of general education, in civilian and military institutes, and in training institutes and centers, according to information set by the Civil Defense Council in agreement with the educational bodies.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعطى مبادئ الدفاع المدني في جميع مراحل التعليم العام والمعاهد المدنية والعسكرية ومعاهد التدريب ومراكزه وفقا للمعلومات التي يضعها مجلس الدفاع المدني بالاتفاق مع الجهات التعليمية المعنية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 19 explained in plain English
This article makes civil defense awareness part of education, providing that the principles of civil defense are taught in:
- All stages of general education.
- Civilian and military institutes.
- Training institutes and centers.
The content of what is taught is according to the information set by the Civil Defense Council, in agreement with the educational bodies concerned. The article does not set the content, the number of hours or the teaching method, but has the Council set the information in agreement with the educational bodies.
The purpose of this provision is for members of society to have a minimum knowledge of the principles of civil defense, which is consistent with Article 18, which makes every person, even if not a volunteer, responsible for providing the possible and necessary assistance to civil defense operations in cases where necessity calls for it. Someone who has learned these principles is better able to give such assistance.
Article 20 comes with a different provision on licenses, making it a condition for granting licenses in the cases set out in sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph (a) of Article 9 that the licensee comply with the safety conditions and rules issued by the Civil Defense Council.
The article is directed mainly at the educational and training bodies and the Civil Defense Council, and does not create a direct obligation on individuals.
Practical example
A teacher at an intermediate school in Qassim gives her students a lesson on how to act when a fire breaks out and on evacuation routes. This practice is consistent with this article, which provides for teaching civil defense principles at all stages of general education according to the information set by the Civil Defense Council in agreement with the educational bodies.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 19 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law
Are civil defense principles taught in Saudi schools?
The article provides for teaching the principles of civil defense at all stages of general education, in civilian and military institutes and in training institutes and centers.
Who decides the content taught about civil defense?
The Civil Defense Council sets the information in agreement with the educational bodies concerned.
More articles on Volunteers and Assistance in Civil Defense
- Article 16
Article 16 provides for meals at State expense for those carrying out civil defense work during emergencies, disasters and wars, under a regulation issued by the Civil Defense Council.
يتم تأمين وجبات الطعام على نفقة الدولة للقائمين على تنفيذ أعمال الدفاع المدني أثناء الطوارئ والكوارث والحروب، وذلك وفق لائحة يضعها مجلس الدفاع المدني تحدد الشرو
- Article 17
Article 17 allows civil defense to call on those whom the interest requires to be summoned, with their rights, duties and relationship to their workplaces regulated by a regulation issued by the Council of Ministers.
يجوز للدفاع المدني الاستعانة بمن تقتضي المصلحة استدعاءهم، ويتم تنظيم حقوق هؤلاء وواجباتهم وعلاقتهم بالجهات التي يعملون فيها وفق لائحة تصدر بقرار من مجلس الوزراء
- Article 18
Article 18 makes every person, even if not a volunteer, responsible for providing the possible and necessary assistance to civil defense operations in cases where necessity calls for it.
كل شخص ولو لم يكن متطوعا يعتبر مسئولا عن تقديم المساعدة الممكنة واللازمة لعمليات الدفاع المدني في الحالات التي تدعو لها الضرورة.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.