Deputy Minister of Education issues a decision to regulate working hours in various schools

As part of the Ministry of Education’s preparations for the launch of the new academic year 2026/2027, and to organize school working hours in a manner that ensures the continuity of the educational process and the smooth flow of educational work, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Khaled Al-Rashid, issued a decision regarding school working hours for all kindergarten schools, general education schools, the credit-based system (tracks) schools, gifted schools, special education schools, religious education schools, and private schools (Arabic schools), based on what the interests of work require.

The decision stipulates that school working hours in the aforementioned schools shall follow the schedule attached to each educational stage, starting from the beginning of the academic year 2026/2027. Specifically, kindergarten hours will be from 7:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Primary school hours will be from 7:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m., and middle school hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. High school hours will be from 7:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., while high school (tracks) under the credit-based system will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Gifted schools will also operate from 7:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.

The decision clarified that the Special Education Schools Administration is responsible for preparing the working schedules for each school, in accordance with the school’s plan, provided that the start time for these schools does not exceed the approved start time for general education schools across their various stages.

It was also emphasized that this decision takes effect from the beginning of the academic year 2026/2027 until further notice, stressing the necessity for relevant authorities to comply with implementation and organize working hours to ensure the continuity of the educational process and the smooth progress of educational work in accordance with approved plans.

This decision comes within the framework of the Ministry of Education’s commitment to standardizing and organizing school working hours to suit the nature of different educational stages, enhancing the smooth flow of work and the regularity of studies with the launch of the new academic year.