Saudi School Calendar 2025–2026: New Term Dates, Holiday Breaks, and Regional Adjustments Announced

Ministry of Education Reforms Saudi School Year for 1447 AH: Structured Calendar and Global Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education has announced a bunch of changes for the 2025-2026 school year (1447 AH) across the country. The main changes include going back to having two-semester systems at the place of three. Furthermore, a new winter term has been added, which will start from 2 November 2025 to 17 February 2026. During this winter session, schools in major cities such as Riyadh will commence earlier, and morning assembly will start at 6:45 a.m., and classes will begin at 7:00 a.m. These changes are part of a new plan for making the school experience better for the students, as now they can use daylight better and have an improved school schedule. The Ministry affirmed that these changes will help students to learn more effectively and prepare them for global educational standards.

Moreover, the Ministry of Education has introduced new holiday plans for the upcoming school year. Students across the country will enjoy two major breaks, including a fall break of nine days starting from 21 to 29 November 2025. This break gives students a chance to relax after the start of the school year. Another is an interim winter break from 9 to 17 January 2026, offering time to recharge before the second semester continues. These changes are designed to help students rest and refresh their minds to stay focused and motivated during the rest of the school year. The Ministry emphasised that this new calendar balances study time and relaxation, which helps students to enjoy their studies.

The complete school year includes 180 days of classes, which match international education standards and help to create a more consistent and predictable schedule for students, teachers and families. By updating the calendar, the Ministry plans to make the school year a more steady and structured system of activities across the kingdom. Align Saudi Arabia’s education system with global practices, and give families a clearer understanding of school plans and holidays. The ministry has ensured that local requirements are taken into consideration, especially in cities like Makkah and Madinah, where often school timings change due to the Hajj season. Minor adjustments will be made in order to provide for an uninterrupted academic calendar. Besides, there would be a decrease in school hours to assist students during Ramadan, allowing for more concentration on their religious inclinations and general wellness.

Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is expected to commence from early March to early April in 2025, whereas the Eid al-Fitr holiday is most likely from 6 to 28 March. The 2025 calendar includes significant national observances, among them Saudi National Day, celebrated on the 23rd of September, while Founding Day is celebrated on the 22nd of February. These holidays are incorporated into the school calendar to ensure student families are given some time to celebrate while at the same time balancing and putting together the entire academic year.

The Ministry has urged families and educators to get ready for the new session by reviewing all the official publications and announcements released on the Ministry of Education’s website. This planned schedule from the Ministry will undoubtedly facilitate their own personalised academic calendar for the 2025 academic year as it includes all term dates, holidays and regional variations.

In conclusion, the new annual school calendar from the Ministry of Saudi Arabia in 2025 features a purposeful consideration of education planning. The Ministry aims to further student success and consolidate the learning environment by reviving the two-semester system, varying school hours with seasonal and regional needs, and embedding holidays in 2025 into the academic structure.

Editor’s Note:

The Saudi Government has taken a bold step in reforming its school calendar for the year 1447 AH (2025–2026), signifying its steady drift towards clarity, balance, and improved learning outcomes. Among other things, the re-initiation of a two-semester system, the introduction of a winter shift, and the deliberate structured breaks represent visible attempts on the part of the country to align education to international dimensions, yet bring it closer to local needs. The Ministry of Education: opening schools earlier during winter months, making adjustments for regional aspects such as Hajj and allowing for religious observance during Ramadan. Very practical and thoughtful. They go out of the curriculum rather than just scheduling; they see themselves charting a better rhythm for students across Kingdoms, for teachers across the Kingdom, and by-and-large for families.  The admixture of academic rigour and student wellness is also articulated in the spacing of holidays over the school year in the 2025 new calendar. Again, this will be a much more organised and predictable schedule, though admittedly very exciting, for it supports learning in a contextually and seasonally realistic environment.

Skoobuzz believes that this is certainly a progressive step in the educational system of Saudi Arabia- an education system that so much values and, indeed, focuses on its students as a whole and would gradually acquaint them with more focused yet flexible journeys in their academic lives.

FAQs

1. What are the key changes to Saudi Arabia’s school calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year (1447 AH)?

The Ministry of Education has announced a return to the two-semester system, replacing the previous three-semester format. Additionally, a new winter term has been introduced, and the academic calendar has been restructured to improve alignment with global education standards and local seasonal needs.

2. When does the new winter term begin and end?

The winter term will run from 2 November 2025 to 17 February 2026. During this period, schools in major cities such as Riyadh will start earlier in the day to make better use of natural daylight.

3. What are the new school start times during the winter term?

In cities like Riyadh, morning assembly will begin at 6:45 a.m., and classes will start at 7:00 a.m. This adjustment is part of a broader daylight-saving initiative aimed at enhancing student well-being and optimising school hours.

4. How many instructional days are included in the 2025–2026 school year?

The academic year will consist of 180 instructional days, aligning with international benchmarks for school attendance and ensuring a consistent and structured learning experience across the Kingdom.

5. What are the major school holidays in the 2025–2026 calendar?

The Ministry has introduced two key breaks:

• Fall Break: 21–29 November 2025 (9 days)

• Interim Winter Break: 9–17 January 2026

These breaks are designed to give students time to rest and recharge, supporting both academic performance and mental well-being.

6. How does the calendar accommodate religious and national observances?

The 2025–2026 school calendar includes:

• Ramadan Adjustments: Reduced school hours during Ramadan (expected from early March to early April 2025) to support students’ religious practices and wellness.

• Eid al-Fitr Holidays: Anticipated from 6 to 28 March 2025.

• Founding Day: 22 February 2025

• Saudi National Day: 23 September 2025

These observances are embedded in the academic calendar to ensure a balanced approach between education and cultural celebration.

7. Will there be regional adjustments to the school calendar?

Yes. The Ministry has confirmed that regional needs, especially in Makkah and Madinah, will be taken into account due to the Hajj season. Minor adjustments will be made to ensure an uninterrupted academic flow in these areas.

8. Why is Saudi Arabia returning to a two-semester system?

The two-semester model is intended to:

• Provide a more stable academic rhythm

• Improve curriculum delivery

• Align with global education systems

• Offer clearer planning for students, teachers, and families

9. How does the new calendar support student wellbeing?

The calendar introduces spaced-out breaks, shorter hours during Ramadan, and earlier winter start times to reduce fatigue and enhance focus. These measures reflect a growing emphasis on student wellness, academic rigour, and contextual flexibility.

10. Where can families and educators find the official 2025–2026 academic calendar?

The Ministry of Education encourages all stakeholders to consult the official Ministry website for the full academic calendar, including term dates, holiday schedules, and regional variations. This will help families and educators plan their year effectively.