Nearly two million Saudi students returned to schools in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif on Sunday, 30 August, marking the start of the new academic year in the four education departments.
The return of Saudi students comes one week after public schools in other regions began the academic year on 23 August. Education authorities in the four regions completed preparations to welcome students and ensure schools were ready from the first day.
For parents and educators, the new academic year also brings further investment in school facilities, additional education projects and several extra school holidays.
Saudi Students Return Across Four Major Education Departments
Around 464,000 students returned to schools in Makkah, while approximately 270,000 students began the new academic year in Taif.
Meanwhile, Jeddah welcomed around 700,000 students across 2,862 public, private, international and foreign schools. Madinah also prepared to receive nearly half a million students across 2,631 schools.
Together, the figures bring the number of Saudi students returning across the four education departments to close to two million.
The scale of the return highlights the importance of school readiness across some of the Kingdom’s largest and fastest-growing education communities.
Jeddah Expands School Capacity As Student Numbers Grow
Jeddah has continued to expand its education infrastructure to keep pace with population growth and urban development.
The city’s education system now includes 2,862 schools serving around 700,000 students. In addition, 27 modern schools have entered service through partnerships with the private sector.
The expansion also includes five early childhood projects and eight schools operating under the “Aseel” model.
Furthermore, 30 additional schools are currently under construction within housing developments.
The investment is intended to increase capacity while improving the learning environments available to students in new and growing communities.
For families, the expansion could provide more school places closer to residential areas as new neighbourhoods continue to develop.
Madinah Prepares More Than 2,600 Schools
In Madinah, the General Directorate of Education completed preparations for nearly half a million students across 2,631 schools.
More than 38,000 teachers and staff are involved in supporting the education system across the region. Preparations included classroom readiness, school facilities, operational planning and field monitoring ahead of the new academic year.
The start of the year is particularly significant for children beginning their formal education.
Around 24,600 students have registered for the first grade of primary school, while approximately 19,700 children have enrolled in kindergarten.
Schools have therefore focused not only on operational readiness, but also on ensuring that younger children have a supportive introduction to school life.
New Students Begin Their Educational Journey
The arrival of new primary and kindergarten students represents an important transition for families.
For parents, the first weeks of school can involve changes to daily routines, transport arrangements and communication with teachers.
Schools also play an important role in helping younger students settle into their new surroundings.
A well-prepared start can help children become familiar with classrooms, teachers and classmates while building confidence in their new routines.
Meanwhile, educators will be supporting students with different levels of readiness as they begin the academic year.
Additional School Holidays Announced For 2026-27
Families across Saudi Arabia will also need to take note of additional school holidays announced by several education departments.
Four additional long weekends have been approved for the 2026-27 academic year in participating regions. They fall on,
- Sunday, 25 October 2026
- Sunday, 29 November 2026
- Thursday, 7 January 2027
- Sunday, 11 April 2027
However, the four education departments of Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif have only one of these additional holidays currently scheduled, on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Parents should therefore check the calendar issued by their local education department rather than assuming that all additional holidays apply nationally.
Main Holidays In The Saudi Academic Calendar
Alongside the additional long weekends, the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar includes six main holiday periods.
These include the National Day holiday, the autumn break, the mid-year break, Founding Day, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.
The National Day holiday lasts two days, while the autumn and mid-year breaks last nine days each. Founding Day is observed over two days, while the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays each extend to 16 days under the published calendar.
For families, understanding the difference between the national academic calendar and additional holidays set by individual education departments will be important when planning childcare, travel and family activities.
Education Infrastructure Keeps Pace With Growth
The preparations in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif reflect the continuing scale of Saudi Arabia’s education system.
In Jeddah particularly, new schools and early childhood projects are being added alongside residential development. This links education planning more closely with population growth and the needs of newly developed communities.
For school leaders, this growth creates both opportunities and responsibilities.
New facilities can increase access to education, but maintaining teaching quality, student wellbeing and effective school leadership remains equally important.
For parents, the availability of additional places can also influence school choice, particularly in areas experiencing rapid residential growth.
A New Academic Year Begins Across Saudi Arabia
The return of nearly two million students across Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif marks an important point in Saudi Arabia’s 2026-27 education calendar.
With thousands of teachers preparing classrooms and new education facilities coming into service, the focus now shifts from preparation to the experience students receive throughout the year.
For families, the coming months will bring new routines, learning opportunities and important milestones.
For educators and school leaders, the priority will be creating safe, supportive and effective learning environments that help students make a strong start and continue to progress throughout the academic year.
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