A total of 1,180 public and private schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum are opening their doors today to more than 1.277 million students across all educational levels, including 26,700 new students joining classrooms for the first time, marking the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.
The first four school days will feature a gradual return and reduced school hours, before schools shift to full official hours starting Friday, September 4.
The return to school is taking place under the Ministry of Education’s campaign slogan, “With the Charter, We Reach New Horizons,” amid extensive operational, academic, and logistical preparations aimed at ensuring a smooth and stable start from the first day.
185 School Days During the New Academic Year
The 2026-2027 academic year will run for 185 school days across three terms, with 67 days in the first term, 60 days in the second, and 58 days in the third.
The first term will span 13 weeks, while both the second and third terms will run for 12 weeks each, according to an academic calendar that outlines study periods, examinations, assessments, and holidays throughout the year.
Comprehensive Readiness From Day One
Schools have completed preparations for classrooms, laboratories, and activity areas, while also reviewing class schedules, student and teacher allocations, textbooks, and educational resources.
Preparations have also included checking school buses and transportation routes, reviewing security and safety procedures, updating student records and digital systems, and organizing arrival, dismissal, and communication with families.
September Marks the First Assessment Period
Diagnostic and centralized assessments will take place from September 7 to 18, while the Arabic Baseline Assessment, or ABA, will run from September 7 through October 9.
The Standardized Proficiency Assessment, or SPA, will also take place from September 21 to October 30 as part of a series of evaluations designed to measure student performance and identify learning needs at the beginning of the academic year.
Mid-Term Break in October
Students will have their mid-term break from October 12 to 16, while the second specialized training program for administrative and teaching staff will be held from October 12 to 14.
The PIRLS 2026 study will also be conducted from October 19 to November 12, before schools move into the examination period scheduled for the end of the first term.
First-Term Exams and Winter Break
Practice exams will take place from November 18 to 20, followed by end-of-term examinations from November 25 to 27.
Exams will pause during the National Day holiday from December 2 to 4 and resume from December 7 to 11. Results are scheduled to be announced between January 4 and 6, 2027.
Students’ winter break will begin on December 14 and continue through January 1, 2027, while the winter break for administrative and teaching staff will begin on December 21 and continue through January 1.
Second Term Begins on January 4
The second academic term will begin on January 4, 2027, with students and administrative and teaching staff returning to school.
The term will continue until the Eid Al Fitr holiday from March 8 to 12, before schools enter the final assessment period.
Final school assessments will be held from March 22 to April 2, with results scheduled to be announced between April 12 and 14.
The spring break will run from April 5 to 9, 2027.
Third Term Begins in April
The third academic term will begin on April 12, 2027, and will include 58 school days.
The TIMSS 2027 study will take place from April 19 to May 14, alongside the SPA assessment, which will run from April 26 to June 4.
The term will also include the Eid Al Adha holiday from May 15 to 18 and the Islamic New Year holiday on June 6.
Preparing for the End of the Academic Year
Practice exams will be held from June 9 to 11, while the kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 curricula will be completed on June 11.
End-of-term examinations will run from June 16 to 25, while the period from June 28 to July 2 will be dedicated to academic support.
End-of-year results will be announced between June 30 and July 1, 2027, while July 2 will be the final school day for students.
Make-up and resit examinations will take place from July 5 to 8, with resit results due to be announced on July 12. The same date will also mark the start of the summer break for administrative and teaching staff.
Seven Key Areas to Ensure School Readiness
Final preparations focused on several key academic and operational areas, including class schedules, staffing and class allocations, textbooks, school transportation, security and safety, digital systems and data updates, and communication channels with families.
These measures are intended to ensure that classes run smoothly from the first lesson and to reduce any operational challenges that may arise during the opening days of the new academic year.
More Organized Communication With Parents
Schools have updated parent contact information and reorganized communication groups according to students’ new grade levels, while also adding the families of newly enrolled students.
The aim is to ensure that information about schedules, textbooks, buses, attendance, dismissal, and academic requirements reaches families quickly, while maintaining student privacy and keeping communication channels organized.
School Transportation Under Close Review
School transportation has received significant attention as part of back-to-school preparations, with student lists updated, bus allocations reviewed, and routes, pickup points, arrival times, and dismissal schedules checked.
The plans are designed to reduce delays and congestion while ensuring that students arrive at school and return home safely and on schedule from the very first day.
Security and Safety Remain a Priority
Preparations have included inspections of classrooms, laboratories, school facilities, yards, and emergency exits, as well as testing alarm and fire safety systems.
Schools have also updated student health records and information related to cases that may require special follow-up.
These measures are intended to provide a safe school environment that is fully prepared to respond efficiently to different situations from the beginning of the academic year.
Digital Readiness to Reduce Lost Learning Time
Schools have also focused on activating student and teacher accounts, testing educational platforms and attendance systems, and ensuring easy access to digital content and services.
Together, these preparations reflect an integrated readiness system that begins with a student’s arrival at school and extends to the classroom, school bus, and digital learning platform, supporting a smooth and positive start to the new academic year.
