Saudi Arabia implements phased school reopening

Dubai:  For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s history, students across all three levels of public education will return to classrooms in two phases, as part of a revised calendar designed to ease congestion during the annual Hajj season.

Under the new schedule, pupils in 12 regional education departments are set to resume classes this Sunday, the first of Rabi Al Awwal, following a two-month summer break. 

Students in four other departments, Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Taif will return a week later, on the eighth of Rabi Al Awwal, to avoid traffic bottlenecks as pilgrims depart.

The Ministry of Education said it had completed preparations for the staggered reopening, instructing schools to begin lessons immediately, adhere to class timetables, and record daily attendance through the electronic “Noor” system, which alerts parents of absences.

In tandem with the phased reopening, the ministry also introduced a new policy to support its staff with young children. Employees with children in kindergarten or the early grades will be allowed up to four hours off each day during the first three days of school, provided they secure supervisor approval and confirm their child’s registration through the ministry’s “Hudoori” system. Staff must clock in by 11 a.m. at the latest.

Earlier last month, the Saudi Cabinet approved reinstating the two-semester academic year for public schools starting in 2025–26, replacing the three-term model introduced under Vision 2030 reforms. Private, international, and higher education institutions will retain flexibility to adopt the academic structure that suits them best.