Abdullah Al-Ghamdi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Education Minister Azzam Al-Dakhil has denied reports that the resumption of classes in schools after the summer break may be put off until after the Haj, which falls this year in September.



The schools are scheduled to reopen on Aug. 23, the minister said after a meeting with the directors of education in the country on Wednesday.



"What is being circulated about the postponement of school reopening until after the Haj is untrue," Al-Dakhil wrote on his Twitter account earlier.



Sources in the education department had hinted at the possibility of the schools reopening on Sept. 29, instead of Aug. 23 as scheduled.



They said not more than 20 days would be available for classes before the schools close again for Haj holidays.



The sources also said the situation of the schools along the southern border with Yemen might be enough reason to delay the resumption of the new school year.



The minister met on Wednesday with directors of 45 education departments in various regions of the country to discuss all matters relating to the new academic year.