Students in Saudi Arabia begin new academic year today, on-campus learning resumes

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag

Students in Saudi Arabia begin the new academic year 2021-22 today, Aug. 29, as classroom learning resumes for those who are vaccinated.

Last week, Minister of Education, Hamad Al-Sheikh, outlined the precautionary regulations for students to return to schools in-person once the academic year begins.

These regulations, which were announced by the Saudi Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Weqaya), included:

- Students over the age of 12 will need to obtain two doses of COVID-19 vaccine in order to go to school.

- Students aged 12 and above at higher education and technical or vocational training institutions, as well as general education institutions, are required to be fully vaccinated with two doses in order to attend. This also includes all staff working in educational institutions.

The ministry stressed the importance of receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to return to in-person education, and requested everyone’s cooperation and concern for the safety of students and their families.