Tomorrow (Sunday), more than four and a half million male and female students from public schools across various regions and governorates in Saudi Arabia will return to their classrooms for the start of the new academic year, except for students from four exempt educational administrations: Mecca, Medina, and the governorates of Jeddah and Taif, whose return will be next Sunday, the seventeenth of Rabi' al-Awwal. Today, teachers from the four exempt administrations who are actively teaching will also return to their duties after enjoying their summer vacation.

The Ministry of Education emphasized to all schools the necessity of a serious start from the very first day, especially after schools provided students with textbooks before the summer vacation, a step that many in the educational field consider important for achieving school discipline.

The ministry confirmed the importance of monitoring student absences at the beginning of the year and communicating with parents through various means to inform them of these absences and document them in the "Noor" electronic system.

Teachers expressed their optimism following the announcement by Minister of Education Yusuf Al-Bunyan that their school hours through the "Hadhari" electronic application will follow the daily academic plan of the schools without the requirement of the seven-hour workday that has sparked widespread debate since its launch.

The upcoming period of the new academic year will witness the implementation of the new public education system, which was approved by royal decree on the tenth of Safar last month.

Expanding Educational Options

The system aims to enhance the governance framework of public education, provide the necessary enablers to achieve its objectives, and enable it to improve the quality of the educational environment and its outputs, in addition to organizing the roles of the private and non-profit sectors in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The system enhances the governance of public education by defining the roles of the Ministry of Education, the Council of Public Education Affairs, and relevant entities, which supports the alignment of policies, plans, and educational programs, increases decision-making efficiency, and enables the ministry to develop tools for organization, monitoring, and supervision of the public education sector. The system also supports investment in education by organizing the participation of the private and non-profit sectors in providing educational services, enhancing the attractiveness of investment and partnerships, according to clear regulations; to improve service quality, expand educational options, and ensure the sustainable development of both public and private educational institutions.

The system emphasizes the protection of human rights in education, the rights of students and teachers, and the provision of a safe and stimulating educational environment, which supports the quality of the educational process and improves the experience of students, alongside reinforcing the role of the family in supporting the educational journey.

The system supports the quality of care and education in early childhood, recognizing the importance of the early years in shaping a child's personality and skills. It also contributes to providing more tailored educational and supportive services to meet the needs of students with disabilities within educational institutions, as well as supporting the care of gifted students and developing their abilities, thereby enhancing the quality of the educational experience and addressing the diverse needs of students.