Students return to schools tomorrow and preparations for final exams
Millions of students in Saudi Arabia are preparing to resume their studies, with schools scheduled to reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (corresponding to 16 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH), following the Eid al-Adha holiday. This return to school marks the completion of the third and final semester of the current academic year, amidst comprehensive educational and organizational preparations to ensure a suitable learning environment for final exams.
Final exam dates and summer vacation schedule
According to the academic calendar approved by the Ministry of Education, final exams for the third semester are scheduled to begin in most regions of the Kingdom on Sunday, Dhul Hijjah 28, 1447 AH (June 14, 2026). However, exam dates in the Makkah region and the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, and Madinah have been brought forward to Sunday, Muharram 6, 1448 AH (June 21, 2026), in consideration of the exceptional requirements of the Hajj season and the accompanying operational and service arrangements to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and ease the performance of the rituals.
As for the summer vacation and the end of the school year, the vacation will begin in most regions of the Kingdom on Thursday, 10 Muharram 1448 AH, corresponding to June 25, 2026 AD, while the summer vacation for the Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Jeddah, Taif and Madinah regions will begin on Thursday, 17 Muharram 1448 AH, corresponding to July 2, 2026 AD.
The strategic importance of organizing the academic calendar and the return of students to schools
The three-semester structure implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Education in recent years represents a significant step forward, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the educational process and align it with international best practices. The staggered scheduling of classes and exams, particularly in holy cities like Mecca and Medina, highlights the flexibility of the Saudi education system and its ability to adapt to major religious and national events such as the Hajj season. This collaborative coordination between the education, security, and service sectors ensures smooth traffic flow and provides maximum comfort for both students and pilgrims.
Features of the new academic year 1448 AH and a roadmap for teachers
The Ministry of Education's plans extend beyond simply ensuring the successful completion of the current academic year; they also include early preparations for the new academic year 1448 AH. The new year will see the return of administrative and supervisory staff to schools across the Kingdom on Sunday, 28 Safar 1448 AH (August 16, 2026), followed by the return of teachers on Sunday, 3 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH (August 23, 2026). Students will begin their new academic year in all regions of the Kingdom on Sunday, 10 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH (August 30, 2026).
As for the Makkah region and the governorates of Jeddah, Taif and Madinah, the return of the administrative and supervisory bodies will begin on Sunday, 3 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to August 16, 2026 AD, and the return of teachers will begin on Sunday, 10 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to August 23, 2026 AD, while the study for male and female students will begin on Sunday, 17 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to August 30, 2026 AD, according to the officially approved dates.
