More than 4.5 million students return to schools across Saudi Arabia

Dubai: More than 4.5 million students returned to public schools across Saudi Arabia on Sunday, marking the start of the new academic year as authorities introduced changes to teacher attendance rules and began implementing a new Public Education Law.

Students resumed classes across most regions of the kingdom on August 23, while schools under the education departments of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif will begin a week later, on August 30. Teachers in those four education departments returned to work on Sunday to prepare for the start of classes.

The Ministry of Education instructed schools to ensure lessons begin in earnest from the first day and to closely monitor attendance. Schools have been told to record absences through the Noor electronic system and notify parents through available communication channels.

Textbooks had already been distributed before the summer holiday, a measure intended to ensure students could begin the academic year without delays linked to course materials.

The new term also brings changes to the way teachers record attendance. Teachers will continue to use the Hadouri electronic application, but Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has said working hours will now be aligned with each school’s daily timetable rather than requiring a fixed seven-hour day.

The change follows debate over the seven-hour attendance requirement introduced alongside the application. Flexible working arrangements for teachers are also being introduced as schools organise staffing around their approved schedules and operational needs.

New Public Education Law

The start of the academic year coincides with the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s new Public Education Law, recently approved by royal decree.

The legislation is intended to strengthen governance across the education system, improve the quality of schools and learning outcomes and clarify the roles of the Ministry of Education, the Council of Public Education Affairs and other relevant bodies.

It also regulates the participation of the private and non-profit sectors in education in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The law includes provisions aimed at protecting the rights of students and teachers, improving early childhood education and strengthening support for students with disabilities and gifted pupils.

Traffic preparations

Saudi traffic authorities have also increased their field presence around schools and shopping areas as millions of students return to classrooms.

The General Directorate of Traffic said measures would focus particularly on morning peak hours and the period after schools close, with officers working to manage traffic near educational facilities and major roads.

Motorists have been urged to follow speed limits and traffic regulations and exercise particular caution around schools as students arrive and leave.