All good things have to end at some point.
The Ministry of Education has been dropping announcements for the past two weeks.
Following the new decree of schools returning to the two-semester-system, the government entity has revealed the new school year in Saudi’s return date.
Announced on Tuesday, August 12, the new school year is set to begin later this month. The news also outlined a weekly class structure to all relevant grades.
So, grab your school supply list, its time to return to classes. Here is everything to know before the first bell of the new academic year.
New school year in Saudi 2025 begins
School’s almost back in session. In 11 regions across Saudi Arabia, the 2025 academic year kicks off this August. Educational supervisors and admin teams were back on campus on Tuesday, August 12, to get a head start on prep. Teachers will join them from next week for a full week of classroom setup and lesson planning before the students return.
Meanwhile, in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif, the back-to-school clock runs a little later. Supervisors and admin staff start on Sunday, August 17, while teachers get an extra week off before reporting on Sunday, August 24.
New school year in Saudi 2025 location and dates
Students in Al Bahah, Tabuk, Riyadh, Al Jawf, Qassim, Eastern Province, Asir, Jizan, Najran, Hail, and the Northern Borders region will return to school on Sunday, August 24.
If you live in the holy cities of Makkah or Madinah or in Jeddah or Taif, rejoice for your school year will commence from Sunday, August 31.
New school year in Saudi 2025 weekly class structure
The Ministry of Education has rolled out a new weekly class schedule for public school students to accompany the new school year in Saudi, and it’s all about smarter learning with a healthy dose of balance. Think of it as a blueprint that mixes academic challenge with breathing room for activities and well-being.
For the younger crowd, Grades 1–3 and 4–6 both get 33 weekly classes, with the littlest learners tackling 8 subjects and the older ones taking on 10, plus time for student activities.
Intermediate students (Grades 7–9) have 35 classes a week, juggling 10 subjects in Grades 7–8 and 11 subjects in Grade 9, all while keeping some slots for non-academic growth.
Secondary schoolers on the general track have 32 weekly classes across all grades, but the subject count shifts with each semester, from 8 to 12 depending on the year.
Things to do in Saudi in summer
Want to enjoy your last few weeks of vacation before going back? Head down to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, or the West Coast pop-up beach Eden in Jeddah. If you are in Aseer, the enticing smells of the Aseer Food Festival from Aseer Season should be pulling you in.
From Sun, Aug 24 and Sun Aug 31. Across Saudi, moe.gov.sa.
