12 Did You Know
T he decision, approved by the Saudi review and consultation with educators, students, and families. It is designed to balance international benchmarks of 180 instructional days per year with the regional realities of the Kingdom, especially in areas shaped by pilgrimage and seasonal demands. Why this is significant? The three-semester system, while meeting global standards, was viewed as rigid in certain regions. Cities such as Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Taif, which carry the unique rhythms of Hajj and Umrah, faced particular challenges in aligning school schedules with cultural and religious obligations. Cabinet and announced by the Ministry of Education, comes after careful By moving back to two semesters, Saudi Arabia is giving schools more flexibility while still ensuring the academic rigour required to remain aligned with OECD and G20 averages.
The Calendar at a Glance for the 1447/1448 Academic Year Key Dates
Details
First day of school
1 Rabi’ Al Awwal 1447H (10 Aug 2025)
Regional start
Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Taif begin 8 Rabi’ Al Awwal 9 breaks: National Day, Foundation Day, Eid holidays
Breaks
Ramadan
14 instructional days with shortened hours
Holiday days
59 days excluding summer break
Two-semester calendar reinstated from 2025–2026 Tailored schedules for pilgrimage-heavy regions
180 instructional days maintained annually
Four-year roadmap released through to 2029–2030
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