700,000 students return to Jeddah schools as new academic year begins
Around 700,000 students resumed classes in Jeddah, Rabigh, Khulais, and Al-Kamil as the 2026 school year began, amid extensive preparations for a safe learning environment.
Key Takeaways
AIApproximately 700,000 students returned to 2,862 public, private, and international schools across Jeddah, Rabigh, Khulais, and Al-Kamil on Sunday, marking the start of the 2026 academic year.
Schools welcomed students in an orderly manner from the early hours, following comprehensive preparations to ensure a stable educational process and a safe, supportive school environment.
Manal bint Mubarak Allahyabi, Director General of Education in Jeddah, said preparations began early and included readying buildings and facilities, maintenance and operations, cleaning, and equipping classrooms to provide a suitable environment for students from day one.
Expansion of educational facilities
In response to urban and population growth, Allahyabi noted that 27 new schools have opened in partnership with the private sector, along with five early childhood projects and eight schools under the 'Aseel' model, while construction is underway for 30 additional schools.
Allahyabi emphasized that expanding educational projects and facilities aims to improve the quality of the learning environment and enhance students' experiences, in line with national education development goals.