Over 4.5 million students return to schools on Sunday

Saudi Arabia's public schools are set to welcome back over 4.5 million students for the new academic year on Sunday, August 23. While most students will return to classrooms, teachers in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif will resume duties on Sunday, with their students returning a week later, on August 30. The Ministry of Education has directed all schools to ensure a strong start from the very first day. Textbooks were distributed to students before the summer vacation, a move seen by educators as vital for maintaining school discipline. The ministry also highlighted the importance of monitoring student attendance at the beginning of the year. Schools are instructed to communicate with parents through various channels to report absences and record them in the 'Noor' electronic system. Teachers have reportedly welcomed the ministry's directives for the upcoming academic year.