August 8, 2025
August 8, 2025
2 MIN TIME READ
2 MIN TIME READ
Saudi Arabia Returns to Two-Semester School System Starting 1447 AH (2025–2026)
In a significant shift in Saudi Arabia's education policy, the Ministry of Education has officially announced the return to a two-semester academic calendar starting from the academic year 1447/1448 AH (2025/2026 AD). This comes after the Cabinet's approval and will apply to all public schools across the Kingdom.
The new calendar outlines consistent schedules over the next four years, from 1447 to 1450 AH, ensuring stability and clarity for schools, teachers, students, and parents alike.
Academic Calendar Highlights for 1447 AH (2025–2026)
The Ministry released the full academic calendar for 2025/2026 in Saudi Arabia, detailing key dates including start/end of terms and official school holidays.
Why the Two-Semester System
According to the Saudi Ministry of Education , the shift to a two-semester system is backed by national research and feedback from educators, parents, and policymakers. The goal is to enhance learning quality and educational outcomes while maintaining a balanced academic structure.
The decision ensures that students receive a minimum of 180 instructional days, which aligns with international education standards.
Global Alignment: A System That Meets International Standards
The updated Saudi academic system is now more aligned with global best practices.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), most high-performing countries maintain 180 to 185 school days annually. Some G20 nations even extend the school year to 200 days, reflecting a global trend toward improving educational quality through consistent learning time.
Saudi Arabia’s move to solidify its academic year within this international benchmark reflects its commitment to Vision 2030 and human capability development.
What’s Changing and What’s Not?
While the number of semesters is reduced from three to two, the total number of learning days remains unchanged, preserving instructional effectiveness. More importantly:
Teachers and students benefit from predictable holiday schedules.
The calendar includes seasonal breaks, religious holidays, and national observances.
Flexibility remains for specific regions like Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif, to accommodate Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Additionally, private schools, international schools, universities, and technical colleges will continue to enjoy flexibility in structuring their calendars based on internal needs.
What Saudi Parents and Students Need to Know
If you’re a parent, student, or educator in Saudi Arabia, here’s what to keep in mind:
The 2025–2026 academic year starts on August 24, 2025.
Expect two main semesters, each with structured breaks and public holidays.
Key holidays include National Day, Foundation Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and mid-semester breaks.
This transition aims to bring balance, consistency, and alignment with global education systems, all while preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural and religious values.
Source: Ministry of Education – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (official website)
