Over 4.5 million students return to schools on Sunday

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that over four and a half million students across the Kingdom will resume their studies on Sunday, Aug. 23, marking the beginning of the new academic year. Teachers from public schools in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif will return to their duties on the same day; however, students in these institutions will not start their lessons until the following week, on Aug. 30.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of a disciplined start to the academic year, having already distributed textbooks to students ahead of the summer vacation. This measure was seen as essential for maintaining order and focus in the classrooms. The education sector widely supported this initiative.

In a positive development for educators, Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan announced that their attendance would be tracked through the Hadouri electronic application, aligning with the school's regular timetable. This change eliminates the previous requirement of a seven-hour school day, a decision that faced criticism since its introduction. Teachers welcomed this adjustment, highlighting its positive impact on their work schedules.

The new academic year will also mark the implementation of the new Public Education Law, recently approved through a royal decree. This legislation aims to enhance the governance framework for public education, equipping the system with the necessary tools to achieve its goals. It seeks to elevate the quality of the educational environment and outcomes, while also regulating the involvement of the private and non-profit sectors in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.

The law defines the roles of the Ministry of Education, the Council of Public Education Affairs, and other pertinent entities, thereby promoting better decision-making and oversight within the public education sector.