Saudi Arabia announces revised school timings for Ramadan/Representative Image
As Ramadan approaches, education authorities across Saudi Arabia have finalised adjusted school schedules to reflect the demands of the holy month. Start times will vary by region, with most morning classes beginning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., while continuing and adult education programmes will largely shift to evening hours.The changes are intended to support students and staff during fasting, while maintaining academic standards and administrative efficiency throughout the month.
Regional start times confirmed
Education departments across the Kingdom have released detailed schedules tailored to local needs.In the Qassim Region, the General Directorate of Education announced that public schools will begin the school day at 10 a.m. Adult education institutions will start at 9:30 p.m. Teaching and administrative staff are required to report 15 minutes before the first class period begins.In the Makkah Region, morning schools will start at 9 a.m., while adult education classes will commence at 9:30 p.m. The directorate also confirmed that official working hours for all employees during Ramadan will be five hours per day, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.The Riyadh Education Department stated that morning classes will begin at 9 a.m., with continuing education schools starting at 9 p.m.In both the Eastern Province and the Tabuk Region, school days will commence at 9:30 a.m., while continuing education classes will begin at 9 p.m.
Al-Baha and Al-Jouf outline specific measures
In the Al-Baha Region, Director General of Education Dr Abdulkhaliq Al-Zahrani confirmed that public and private schools, along with kindergartens, will begin at 9 a.m. Continuing education classes will start at 9 p.m. Each class period during Ramadan will be reduced to 35 minutes.Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Education in the Al-Jouf Region announced that general education institutions will begin at 9:30 a.m. Continuing education schools will start at 9 p.m., with the first period beginning promptly at that time. The directorate stressed the importance of informing both general and continuing education students of the revised schedules and ensuring strict adherence to the announced timings.
Balancing fasting and academic responsibility
Education authorities have stated that the revised schedules are designed to create an appropriate learning environment during Ramadan, taking into account the spiritual atmosphere and altered daily rhythms of the month.The Makkah Directorate emphasised that limiting official working hours to five hours per day aims to preserve operational efficiency and maintain administrative discipline. School officials across regions have been urged to comply strictly with the approved schedules and to work closely with the wider educational community to ensure smooth school operations and high standards of academic performance.The staggered start times across regions reflect a coordinated but flexible approach, allowing schools to adapt while safeguarding both educational continuity and respect for the observance of Ramadan.
