The General Directorate of Education in Makkah announced its approved school hours for the start of the school day during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This decision is part of the annual preparations aimed at aligning the educational process with the spiritual atmosphere and special circumstances of the holy month, ensuring the comfort of students, teachers, and administrative staff.
According to the circular issued, school hours have been set as follows:
- Morning schools (boys and girls): The school day starts at 9:00 AM .
- Continuing Education Schools (Evening): Classes start at 9:30 PM .
- Administrative staff working hours: The official working hours for male and female staff of the administration and education offices have been set to be five hours per day, starting from 10:00 AM and ending at 3:00 PM .
General context and importance of the decision
Adjusting school hours during Ramadan is a long-standing annual tradition in Saudi Arabia and many other Muslim countries. This measure aims to ease the burden on fasting students and teachers, helping them balance their studies with religious observances. Delaying the start of the school day gives students and their families ample time to rest after suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Fajr (dawn prayer), which contributes to increased focus and comprehension during the limited school hours.
Local and regional impact
Locally, this decision directly impacts thousands of families in Mecca, helping them adjust their daily schedules to accommodate Ramadan's iftar (breaking the fast), prayer times, and family activities. The decision also reflects the flexibility of the Saudi education system and its ability to adapt to religious and social occasions, thus strengthening the bond between educational institutions and the community.
Regionally, this step aligns with similar measures taken by education ministries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the wider Arab region, underscoring shared cultural and religious values that place particular importance on facilitating the rituals of the holy month. These arrangements in Mecca are of particular significance given its status as the Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims, as the city experiences a constant influx of pilgrims and visitors, necessitating meticulous organization of all aspects of daily life, including education.
The administration stressed the need for all school leaders to adhere to the specified dates, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with parents to ensure the regularity of the school day and the achievement of the desired educational goals, in a stimulating educational environment that supports students and takes into account the special nature of the holy month.
