Nearly 2 million students return to schools in Makkah, Madinah regions Sunday

Nearly two million students across Saudi Arabia's Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif regions are set to return to school on Sunday. Educational authorities in these four areas have completed all necessary preparations to welcome the young learners back to their classrooms.

Jeddah, in particular, is poised to receive approximately 700,000 students. The city's educational infrastructure has seen significant upgrades, including the addition of 27 modern schools developed through private sector partnerships. Further enhancing its capacity are five early childhood projects, eight schools built using the "Aseel" model, and 30 more schools currently under construction within new housing developments. These additions are designed to accommodate the city's ongoing urban expansion and population growth.

In Madinah, the General Directorate of Education is ready to welcome around half a million students across 2,631 schools. Over 38,000 teachers will support the smooth commencement of the academic year. The region has registered 24,600 students for first grade and 19,700 children for kindergarten, with schools fully equipped to begin their educational journey.

Meanwhile, education departments nationwide have announced additional school holidays beyond the official academic calendar. While most regions follow the Ministry of Education's schedule, schools in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif will observe only one of these additional holidays on October 25, 2026. The ministry's calendar itself includes six main holiday periods: National Day, autumn break, mid-year break, Founding Day, Eid Al-Fitr, and Eid Al-Adha.