{
  "id": 2758395,
  "title": "More than 4.5 million students return to schools across Saudi Arabia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/more-than-4-5-million-students-return-to-schools-across-saudi-arabia",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T08:08:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/more-than-45-million-students-return-to-schools-across-saudi-arabia-1.500649532"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than 4.5 million students across Saudi Arabia returned to public schools on Sunday, signaling the beginning of the new academic year. Authorities introduced changes to teacher attendance rules and implemented a new Public Education Law. Classes resumed in most regions on August 23, while schools in Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Taif will start a week later on August 30. Teachers in these four departments returned to work on Sunday to prepare for the first day of classes. The Ministry of Education emphasized that lessons should commence on the first day and attendance should be closely monitored. Schools are required to record absences through the Noor electronic system and inform parents via available communication channels. Textbooks were distributed before the summer break to prevent delays in starting the academic year. Teachers will continue using the Hadouri electronic application for attendance, but working hours will now match each school's daily timetable. The implementation of the new law aims to enhance governance, improve school quality, and clarify roles within the education system, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Traffic authorities have increased presence around schools to manage morning and evening traffic, urging motorists to follow speed limits and exercise caution near educational facilities.",
  "summary": "Dubai: More than 4.5 million students returned to public schools across Saudi Arabia on Sunday, marking the start of the new academic year as authorities introduced changes to teacher attendance rules and began implementing a new Public Education Law. Students resumed classes across most regions of the kingdom on August 23, while schools under the education departments of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Red alerts issued for heavy rain as thunderstorms, flash floods forecast across Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/red-alerts-issued-for-heavy-rain-as-thunderstorms-flash-floods",
        "published": "2026-08-23T07:26:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}