Ministry of Education defines school hours for 2025–2026 academic year

The Ministry of Education has set the official school hours for students, as part of the second and third phases of the gradual return with the start of the new academic year 2025–2026, beginning on August 25. The move is aimed at regulating the school day and facilitating students’ smooth transition into the learning environment.

According to the approved timetable, published on the Ministry’s official website, a reduced schedule has been allocated for Cycle Two students (Grades 9–12) during the first week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with different timings applied for boys’ and girls’ schools.

For boys’ schools, classes will run Monday through Wednesday from 7:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m., on Thursday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., and on Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Girls’ schools will operate Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (reduced schedule), on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Ministry emphasized that the gradual return system is designed to ease students into the first week, fostering positive engagement with the learning process and supporting their full integration into the official timetable for the remainder of the school year.

As per the study plan for Cycle Three (Grades 11 and 12), a total of 36 weekly classes has been approved for each grade, distributed across core and elective subjects, in addition to academic support periods. The plan sets eight classes daily from Monday to Thursday, with school starting at 7:15 a.m. and ending at 2:15 p.m., while Friday classes conclude at 12:45 p.m. A second group will start at 8:00 a.m. and finish at 3:15 p.m., with Friday ending at 11:45 a.m.

Of the 36 classes, 24 are allocated to six core subjects, including Arabic, English, Islamic Studies, Social Studies, and Moral Education. Mathematics is fixed at seven classes per week across all scenarios.

Kindergarten students will have 24 weekly classes, while Cycle One students will attend 32 classes weekly.

The Ministry has also issued general guidelines and organizational directives for school administrations to follow at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year. It stressed the importance of providing a safe and flexible learning environment that supports both students and parents, ensuring smooth and consistent educational progress from day one.

The Ministry further underlined the need to adhere to the approved class duration while granting schools flexibility to organize breaks, morning assemblies, and intervals between lessons, in a way that balances academic discipline with students’ well-being.

School principals have been authorized to plan and implement “back-to-school” activities, including welcome programs for students and parents to foster connections and ensure a positive start to the year. The guidelines also encourage parental involvement in school activities, with diverse programs designed to raise student readiness and support their smooth transition to the next academic stage with confidence.

Schools have been instructed to provide designated areas for receiving parents and to facilitate the distribution of books and class schedules in the first days, ensuring smooth organization.

Regarding school transportation, the Ministry called for direct coordination with bus supervisors to verify student data, update lists, and ensure safe, efficient transport. Parents are required to provide schools with contact information for transport coordinators, drivers, and bus supervisors to guarantee swift communication in case of emergencies or inquiries. The Ministry also stressed the importance of adhering to official arrival and departure times in coordination with the School Transport Authority to reinforce daily discipline and safeguard student safety.