Deputy Minister of Education issues a decision regulating school working hours: from 7:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Alaa Khalifa: Dr. Khaled Al-Rashid, Deputy Minister of Education, issued a decision regarding school working hours for all kindergarten schools, general education schools, the credit-based system (tracks) schools, gifted students’ schools, special education and religious education schools, and private (Arabic) schools, in light of operational necessities.
The decision stipulates that school hours for the aforementioned institutions shall follow the schedule attached for each educational stage, effective from the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. Specifically, kindergarten hours will run from 7:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.; primary school hours from 7:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m.; middle school hours 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 students in the credit-based system (tracks) will attend from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Gifted students’ schools will 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 specific working schedules for each school, in accordance with each school’s plan, provided that the start time does not precede the official start time established for general education schools across their various stages.
It further emphasized that this decision will take effect from the beginning of the 2026/2027 academic year until further notice, stressing that relevant authorities must ensure strict compliance with its implementation and organize working hours to guarantee the continuity of the educational process and the smooth progress of educational activities in line with approved plans.
This decision comes within the framework of the Ministry of Education’s commitment to standardizing and organizing school working hours in a manner consistent with the nature of different educational stages, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the regularity of studies as the new academic year begins.
