Saudi Arabia begins new school year for 4.5 million students

More than 4.5 million students have returned to classrooms across Saudi Arabia for the start of the new academic year. While most regions resumed classes on Sunday, students in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif are excluded from this initial return and are scheduled to begin next week. Teachers in those four excluded regions, however, have already commenced their duties following the summer break.

This academic year coincides with the implementation of a new general education system approved by royal decree. The system aims to enhance educational governance, improve decision-making efficiency, and expand educational options by regulating the involvement of the private and non-profit sectors in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

Additionally, Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan announced a revised attendance policy for teachers using the ‘Hadhuri’ electronic application. Under the new guidelines, teacher attendance will be linked to daily school schedules and lesson plans rather than requiring a mandatory seven-hour presence, a move intended to provide greater professional flexibility.