Over 7m students start new Saudi academic year

1 / 11
Students in Saudi Arabia return to school on Sunday after a two-month summer vacation. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 20 August 2023
Follow

Over 7m students start new Saudi academic year

  • Education experts emphasize importance of strong start to achieve positive outcomes

MAKKAH: More than 7 million students in Saudi Arabia returned to school on Sunday, resuming their studies after a two-month summer vacation.

According to a report, over 6 million students enrolled in general education and 1,360,000 students in higher education and technical and vocational training started the new academic year.

More than half a million male and female teachers as well as administrative staff and supervisors also resumed their duties.

The Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. started preparations early for the academic year in coordination with local education departments.

HIGHLIGHT

According to a report, over 6 million students enrolled in general education and 1,360,000 students in higher education and technical and vocational training started the new academic year.

The ministry stressed the role of parents in motivating their children to fully engage with the curriculum and achieve their potential. It also emphasized the importance of early preparations, including setting up curricula and daily class schedules, to ensure a strong start to the academic year. 

The General Directorate of Education in Riyadh completed its preparations to receive more than 1.2 million students in all education levels across over 6,000 schools.

Riyadh has the highest number of students, followed by Jeddah with 700,000 students; the Eastern Province with 500,000; Makkah with 422,000; Madinah with 350,000; Asir with 280,000; Tabuk, Taif, and Qassim each with 200,000; Jazan with 190,000; Najran with 161,000; and the Northern Borders region with 100,000.

Dr. Naif Al-Zari, director general of education in Riyadh, said that 95 new schools and nurseries will be opened this year, benefitting hundreds of thousands of students.

Abdul Salam Al-Thumairi, spokesman for the Riyadh Education Department, confirmed the readiness of all departments for the new school year. “Over 63,000 teachers are preparing to receive the students. The administration has developed a training plan for the teachers’ return, including 81 diverse training programs covering curriculum for new teachers, educational supervision management programs, and electronic supervision methods.”

Al-Thumairi said that school administrations have begun distributing books to students upon the return of administrative and educational staff. The General Directorate of Education in Riyadh has established admission committee offices to facilitate the admission process for students and their parents.

Dr. Hamed Al-Jamah, an official of the Makkah Education Department, emphasized the importance of a strong start in order to achieve positive outcomes and impart a range of skills to students.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Duaiji, an educational expert, said that learning is a lifelong journey.

“The start of the school year is a crucial stage that sets the tone for the rest of the year,” he said. “According to Prof. Thomas R. Guskey, students often feel uncertain about themselves and their perspective on school after the summer break. Their perceptions of themselves as learners and their academic potential are often influenced by their performance on early assessments, such as quizzes and exams. For instance, scoring a C on a math test may lead students to view themselves as C students, which can be challenging to change.

“Educational systems worldwide are measured by metrics like adherence to schedules and truancy rates, reflecting the commitment of school leadership, teachers, students, and parents to prioritize learning,” he continued. “Saudi Vision 2030, aligned with these values, emphasizes discipline and perseverance through initiatives like the Human Capital Development Program. The Ministry of Education has implemented measures such as converting the academic calendar into three semesters and developing the curriculum plan.”

According to the new academic calendar, the first semester will continue until Nov. 16, while the second semester will start on Nov. 26 and will end on Feb. 22, 2024. The third semester will start on March 3 and will end on June 10.


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 8 sec ago
Follow

Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

Updated 36 sec ago
Follow

Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

  • Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app — developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, played a “key role” on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, helping to guide more than 35,000 Hajj pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The app “highlights the ministry’s commitment to using technology for smooth pilgrim movement and effective crowd management at the holy sites, reflecting integrated technical and operational services during Hajj,” the SPA wrote.

Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals. With direct links to 25 government agencies and 10 private sector entities, Nusuk — a part of the ministry’s digital-transformation drive in line with Vision 2030 — “has become a comprehensive platform for the pilgrim journey,” the SPA reported.

For this year’s Hajj, the ministry added more than 30 new services to the app, including Nusuk AI — a digital assistant that provides guidance and responds to pilgrims’ inquiries via voice and text in multiple languages.

 


Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 48 min 25 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

  • Prince Mohammed made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday reaffirmed “the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences” of Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza.

He made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, he said.

“We reaffirm the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.”

The crown prince was speaking during a meeting with Eid Al-Adha well-wishers at the Royal Court in Mina Palace.

“God Almighty has honored this country with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims, Umrah performers and other guests,” he said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia places this sacred duty at the forefront of its priorities, harnessing all its capabilities to serve the guests of God and ensuring that they are able to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The crown prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, recognizing both the great honor and the immense trust it entails.

“We ask God Almighty to perpetuate security and stability in our country, in all Muslim countries and across the world,” he said.

“May He accept the Hajj of the pilgrims to the House of God and return them safely to their families.”


MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

Updated 49 sec ago
Follow

MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

  • They discussed a variety of topics of common interest

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-hair Shukri to discuss “a variety of topics of common interest,” the MWL wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh recently met with the Malaysian delegation of Islamic leaders participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

Updated 07 June 2025
Follow

Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

  • Two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Saturday with President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations and expand cooperation between their countries across various fields, SPA added.

The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to bolster Saudi-Maldivian ties and explore new avenues for partnership.

A number of senior Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From the Maldivian side, the delegation included several ministers including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel.

The high-level talks come as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen engagement with nations across South Asia, in line with its broader diplomatic and economic outreach initiatives.

Also on Saturday, Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. (SPA)

They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to discussing overall relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, SPA reported.