Saudi Arabia: 23-Day School Holiday Announced for Eid al-Fitr & Future Dates

Saudi Schools to Close for 23-Day Eid al-Fitr Break

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Saudi Ministry of Education has officially announced a 23-day suspension of in-person classes for all students and teachers across the Kingdom. The extended break coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and aligns with the approved academic calendar for the year 1447 AH. This decision, announced on March 7, 2026, provides clarity for families and educators planning for the upcoming religious observance and academic resumption. The announcement addresses a period of anticipation among students, parents, and teachers regarding the remaining academic holidays within the 1447 AH school year.

According to the Ministry, the official start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday will be at the end of the school day on Thursday, 16 Ramadan 1447 AH, corresponding to March 5, 2026. Classes will resume on Sunday, 10 Shawwal 1447 AH, which falls on March 29, 2026. This means the holiday begins just nine days after the initial announcement, giving families limited time to prepare.

Remaining Holidays in the 1447 AH Academic Year

Beyond the Eid al-Fitr break, the Ministry of Education has also outlined the dates for other upcoming holidays within the current academic year (1447 AH):

Eid al-Fitr Holiday: Begins at the end of day 17 Ramadan 1447 AH and continues through 9 Shawwal 1447 AH.
Eid al-Adha Holiday: Commences on 5 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH and concludes on 15 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH.
End-of-Year Holiday: Begins with the start of 10 Muharram 1448 AH.

Ramadan Testing and Attendance Policies

The Ministry also detailed measures to ensure the continuation of the educational process during the month of Ramadan. Testing for the first period across all educational levels began on Monday, February 23, 2025, and will continue until the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. A grade of zero will be recorded for any student absent from an exam without a valid medical excuse. This policy aims to maintain academic standards while acknowledging the unique challenges presented by observing Ramadan.

Long-Term Academic Calendar Outlook

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Education has published the start and end dates for the next three academic years:

Year 1448/1449 AH: Begins 10 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, ends 19 Muharram 1449 AH.
Year 1449/1450 AH: Begins 20 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1449 AH, ends 29 Muharram 1450 AH.
Year 1450/1451 AH: Begins 29 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1450 AH, ends 16 Safar 1451 AH.

Confirmed vs. Unclear Details

The Ministry of Education’s announcement clearly defines the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the remaining holidays for the 1447 AH academic year. The specific details regarding the implementation of the summer schedule, mentioned in relation to the return to school on March 29, 2026, were not fully elaborated upon in the initial announcement. The announcement also did not specify any regional variations to the holiday schedule; it applies to all schools across the Kingdom. Further details regarding potential adjustments to the curriculum to accommodate the extended break have not been independently confirmed.

Background: The Saudi Academic Calendar

The Saudi academic calendar is structured around the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. This means school years and holidays shift annually. The Ministry of Education publishes the academic calendar well in advance to allow for planning by students, parents, and educators. The calendar is designed to balance instructional time with religious observances and national holidays. You can find more information about the Saudi academic calendar directly on the Ministry of Education website: وزارة التعليم | التقويم الدراسي.

How the Holiday Schedule is Determined

The process for determining the academic calendar involves input from various stakeholders, including educators, religious authorities, and government officials. The Ministry of Education considers factors such as the Hijri calendar, the length of the school year, the timing of religious holidays, and the need to provide adequate breaks for students and teachers. The final calendar is then approved by the relevant authorities and published for public dissemination. The goal is to create a schedule that supports effective learning while respecting cultural and religious traditions.

Implications for Students and Families

The 23-day Eid al-Fitr break provides a significant opportunity for families to travel, spend time together, and observe religious traditions. For students, it offers a chance to rest and recharge before the final stretch of the academic year. However, the relatively short notice of the holiday’s start date may require some families to adjust their plans quickly. The Ministry’s emphasis on completing testing before the break underscores the importance of maintaining academic momentum despite the interruption. The upcoming implementation of a summer schedule, with earlier start times, aims to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on student learning. More information on the summer schedule can be found in reports from Aden News: التعليم السعودي يحدد تفاصيل إجازة عيد الفطر وموعد العودة للمدارس لعام 1447.

The anticipation surrounding school holidays is a common theme across Saudi Arabia, as reported by Alweeam: جدول الإجازات الدراسية 1447هـ كاملًا للطلاب والمعلمين.

This extended break is a key component of the Ministry’s efforts to support a balanced and effective educational experience for students throughout the Kingdom.