As the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH approaches, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has officially announced adjusted school schedules and reduced class periods across the Kingdom, aiming to ease the daily routine for millions of fasting students and educators.
Class Periods Shortened to 35 Minutes
Under the new Ramadan schedule, each class period will be reduced to 35 minutes from the standard duration, allowing students and teachers to maintain their energy levels throughout the fasting day while ensuring the academic curriculum stays on track. The adjustment reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to creating supportive learning environments that respect the unique nature of the holy month.
Staggered Start Times Across Regions
School start times will vary by region to accommodate geographic and climatic differences across Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, and Al-Baha, the first period begins at 9:00 AM, while schools in Al-Ahsa will start at 9:15 AM. In the Northern Borders region, classes are set to begin at 10:00 AM, taking into account the later Fajr prayer times and local conditions.
According to the approved academic calendar, students will attend only 11 school days during Ramadan, giving Saudi families greater flexibility to organize their schedules during the blessed month.
Digital Attendance Tracking and Parental Communication
The Ministry emphasized the importance of maintaining attendance and discipline throughout Ramadan, noting that absences will be tracked through electronic systems with direct notifications sent to parents and guardians. This approach ensures accountability while keeping families informed in real time.
The adjustments are part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia’s education system in line with Vision 2030, which places human capital development at the forefront of the Kingdom’s transformation agenda. By balancing academic rigor with the spiritual significance of Ramadan, the Ministry continues to demonstrate that quality education and cultural sensitivity can go hand in hand.
