{
  "id": 15429417,
  "title": "First extra school holiday for students on Oct. 25",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/first-extra-school-holiday-for-students-on-oct-25",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T14:19:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/665522/saudi-arabia/first-extra-school-holiday-for-students-on-oct-25"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi students will enjoy an extra school holiday on October 25, marking the first of its kind this academic year. This decision was made by education departments across the Kingdom, though it is not part of the academic calendar approved by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry has already scheduled six extended school holidays for the year, with holidays planned on specific dates throughout 2026 and 2027.\n\nThe Ministry's academic calendar includes six holidays: National Day (two days), Autumn break (nine days), Mid-year break (nine days), Founding Day (two days), Eid al-Fitr (16 days), and Eid al-Adha (16 days). However, the education departments in the Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif governorates have opted to give students an additional break on October 25, 2026. This decision highlights the flexibility and discretion of local education authorities in shaping the educational experience for students.",
  "summary": "RIYADH — Students in public schools across Saudi Arabia will enjoy their first extra school holiday of the current academic year next Sunday, Oct. 25. This holiday was approved by the education departments across the Kingdom but is not included in the academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education. These include six extended school holidays during the current academic year. The departments…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}