The Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia has confirmed the starting dates for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, as well as the introduction of new weekly class programs and a nationwide artificial intelligence (AI) course at all grade levels. These changes reflect a careful balance between improving academic distribution, supporting student welfare and creating future generations for a technology-operated world in line with Vision 2030.TL; Dr:
- Most of the Saudi regions will start school on August 24, 2025; In schools
Maize Medina, Jeddah, and Taif will officially start on 31 August. - The Ministry has issued grade-wise weekly class/subject structures to optimize learning while supporting student good.
- All grades will experience progressive AI modules, starting from 2025–2026, to create national digital and analytical skills.
Educational year starts date and stagger returns
In most areas, administrative staff and education supervisors resumed work on August 12, 2025, while the teachers returned on August 17, students starting on August 24. High-graded education hubs such as Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Taif, the schedule is offset for a week: on August 17, teachers start on 24 August, and students start from 31 August. The purpose of this staggering approach is to allow better coordination, convenience readiness and smooth student infection in the most busy school areas.
Weekly class structure by grade
The update timetable of the ministry allocates 33 weekly periods (each duration about 45 minutes) for grade 1 to 6, with young students include eight subjects as well as activity classes, and old primary students are covered by ten subjects. Grade 7 and 8 have 35 periods with ten subjects in intermediate school students, while students of grade also have 35 periods but with an additional non-educational development component. Under the general track system, students of secondary school have 32 periods per week, which consists of separate subjects by semester and grade, which adjust advanced expertise while maintaining the main learning standards. This change is designed to maintain rigorous academics when creating rooms for sports, art and other student development programs.
AI course rollout: Building future skills
For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s public education system, students in all grades will be taught artificial intelligence through age-appointed, practical lessons. Developed in partnership between the National Course Center, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAAI), the program shows the AI concepts of step-by-step, which connects them with real-life applications. Projects on hands encourage students to participate in emerging technology sectors and encourage problems-solution, important thinking and creativity. The new course creates the success of previous high school AI pilots and directly supports the human capacity development program of Vision 2030, which aims to place the state as a regional leader in digital talent.2025-2026 Educational Year is an important milestone for Saudi Arabia’s education system. With the groundbreaking introduction of AI education from field-specific school start dates, a customized class schedule, and secondary levels, these reforms are designed to learn, to promote the student’s good, and to fly the young Saudi with knowledge and skills, to grow rapidly in technology-operated global economy.
Fasting
- 1. When will the 2025-2026 school year start in Saudi Arabia?
Most regions begin from August 24, 2025, while Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif start from 31 August, 2025. - 2. Why have some cities launched dates later?
Compatible schedule reduces logistic challenges and prepares features in high density areas. - 3. What changes have been made in the weekly class schedule?
The weekly period is prescribed at 33 for primary, 35 for intermediate, and 32 for secondary students, with the subjects adjusted by grade. - 4. What is new about the course this year?
All grades will feature AI-appointed AI lessons with SDAA and other partners. - 5. How does this change support Vision 2030?
By teaching AI and digital skills from the initial grade, it creates a workforce ready for the future and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s technical leadership.
