The General Directorate of Education in Tabuk announced an official decision to delay the start of the school day in all schools across the region and its affiliated governorates for a full week, beginning next Sunday. This decision comes in response to the changing weather conditions and the drop in temperatures, and out of concern for the safety of students and school staff.
Details of the decision to delay working hours in Tabuk
The Education Department announced that school hours will begin at 9:00 AM instead of the usual time throughout the coming week. The department's statement read: "Following directives from His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Tabuk Region, and out of concern for the safety of our students, and due to the cold weather, it has been decided to postpone the start of the school day from next Sunday, July 15, 1447 AH, to Thursday, July 19, 1447 AH, to 9:00 AM.".
The decision also included setting the start time for the exams to be at 10:00 AM in all schools in Tabuk and the governorates of the region, to ensure that students take their exams in a suitable atmosphere away from the intense cold in the early morning hours.
Tabuk's climate and its impact on the educational process
The Tabuk region possesses unique geographical and climatic characteristics that distinguish it from other regions of Saudi Arabia. Located in the northwest, it is directly affected by cold air masses originating from the north. The region is known for its harsh winters, with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing, and snowfall and frost are common, particularly in higher elevations and Jabal al-Lawz.
This climatic nature makes going out in the early morning hours a health challenge for students, which calls for flexible administrative intervention to adapt working hours to suit the prevailing weather conditions.
The importance of flexibility in school timing
This decision reflects the general policy of the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom, which has granted regional education directors broad authority to suspend or delay classes based on reports from the National Center for Meteorology. This approach aims to prioritize the student's well-being and physical and health safety above all other considerations.
From an educational and health perspective, delaying school start times in extremely cold weather helps to:
- Protecting students from colds and seasonal illnesses that become more active with the drop in temperatures.
- Improving academic achievement, as extreme cold negatively affects the student's concentration and ability to comprehend.
- Providing a comfortable psychological environment for students, especially during exam periods, which reduces the stress and anxiety associated with difficulty accessing school in harsh conditions.
This decision includes all governorates belonging to the Tabuk region, which confirms the comprehensive care and attention given to all students in the region without exception, to ensure that the educational process proceeds smoothly and safely.
