The General Directorate of Education in the Hail region issued an official decision to delay the start of the school day in all schools in the region until 9:00 AM, in response to the current weather changes and drop in temperatures. This decision was made based on direct instructions from His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Hail region, who places great importance on the safety of students and educational staff.
According to the statement, this new schedule will begin on Sunday, July 15, 1447 AH (corresponding to July 15, 2026), and will continue for five days until the end of the workday on Thursday, July 19, 1447 AH (corresponding to July 19, 2026). The administration also clarified an important detail regarding the examination period: it was decided that examinations during this timeframe will begin at 10:00 AM to ensure students arrive at the examination halls in a warmer environment conducive to concentration and optimal performance.
This precautionary measure comes as part of the utmost concern for the safety of all school staff, including students, teachers, and administrators, and in consideration of the harsh climatic conditions characteristic of the northern regions of the Kingdom during winter. The Hail region is geographically known for its diverse terrain and the Aja and Salma mountain ranges, making it susceptible to severe cold waves, especially in the early morning hours, when temperatures drop significantly and could affect the health and safety of students during their commutes.
This step reflects the flexibility of the Saudi Arabian education system, as the Ministry of Education has granted regional and provincial education directors the authority to make appropriate decisions regarding school closures or delays based on reports from the National Center for Meteorology and Environmental Protection, and in accordance with the public interest. This approach is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at providing a safe and stable learning environment, protecting students from the health risks associated with colds and seasonal influenza, which are prevalent in such weather conditions.
The Hail Education Department confirmed that the decision includes all schools in the region without exception, calling on parents and students to adhere to the new schedules to ensure the smooth running of the educational process, while emphasizing the importance of following the department’s official platforms to obtain any future updates that may occur based on the weather conditions.
