The first class will start at 7:00 a.m., while the morning assembly will start at 6:45 a.m., according to the administration. Up until February 17, 2026, the winter schedule will be in place. School hours will change during the holy month of Ramadan, which runs from March 5 to March 18. The first period will begin at 9:00 a.m. On March 29, 2026, schools will resume their summer schedule, with the first class starting at 6:30 a.m. and the morning assembly starting at 6:15 a.m. The timetable changes are in accordance with daylight saving time, which was implemented this year to maximize school hours and make greater use of natural daylight, according to officials.
In accordance with orders from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education previously required all male students attending public and private secondary schools to wear national clothing. The program seeks to strengthen pupils’ sense of national identity and educational ideals. Saudi students must wear the traditional thobe with a ghutra or shemagh under the new policy, while non-Saudi students—aside from those enrolled in overseas schools—must wear the thobe. The ministry stressed that the choice is in line with larger national initiatives to impart values, encourage loyalty, and cultivate national affinity.
The Kingdom’s ongoing efforts under Vision 2030 to increase cultural and historical understanding among the younger generation are supported by national clothing, which is seen as a cornerstone of Saudi identity. In order to facilitate a seamless transition, the ministry declared that educational programs and awareness campaigns will be initiated for parents and students, offering guidance on the importance of the mandate and its role in bolstering national pride and legacy.
