Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has unveiled revised school schedules for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, introducing later start times across all regions to support students and staff observing the fast.
The adjustments, announced by regional education directorates this week, reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining academic excellence while accommodating the spiritual rhythms of Ramadan. Classes will now begin between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM depending on the region, replacing the standard earlier start times.
Region-by-Region Breakdown
In Riyadh, schools will open their doors at 9:00 AM, with continuing education programs shifting to evening sessions starting at 9:00 PM. The Eastern Province and Tabuk Region have opted for a slightly later 9:30 AM start, while the Qassim Region has set the latest morning start at 10:00 AM.
The Makkah Region’s General Directorate of Education confirmed a 9:00 AM start for morning schools, adding that official working hours for all education employees will be capped at five hours daily, running from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In Al Baha, Director General of Education Dr. Abdulkhaliq Al Zahrani announced that all public and private schools, including kindergartens, will begin at 9:00 AM, with each class period lasting 35 minutes during the holy month.
Seven Periods, Shorter Days
Under the revised schedule, all educational stages will maintain seven class periods per day, with each session lasting between 30 and 35 minutes. Kindergarten students will be received from 9:40 AM to 10:00 AM and dismissed at 1:10 PM. Primary school hours will run from 9:25 AM to 1:45 PM, while middle school students will attend from 9:20 AM to 2:00 PM. Secondary school classes are set from 9:30 AM to 2:10 PM.
Teaching and administrative staff have been instructed to arrive 15 minutes before the first class period, ensuring a smooth transition into each school day.
Balancing Faith and Education
Education authorities across Saudi Arabia have emphasized that the schedule changes are designed to strike a balance between academic responsibilities and the observance of Ramadan. The Ministry has also allocated five percent of class periods for extracurricular activities during the month, while prohibiting class merging and early dismissals to preserve educational standards.
For ministerial headquarters and regional education offices, a flexible four-hour work system will be implemented during both morning and evening shifts. The total allowable lateness throughout the month has been set at 67 minutes.
The unified approach across all regions underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to providing a supportive learning environment that respects the spiritual significance of Ramadan while ensuring continuity in education for the Kingdom’s more than six million students.
