Academic year begins Aug. 30 and with strict measures to stem spread of coronavirus

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — More than 114,000 administrative employees across the schools in Saudi Arabia will be back at work on Sunday in preparation for the new school year amid strict precautions against COVID-19.

The return of the employees comes months after authorities closed educational institutions as part of measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. Additionally, over 520,000 school teachers will also be back to their workplaces next week in the run-up to the new school year which is set to begin on Aug. 30, a report in Al-Yaum newspaper said.

It is not clear yet whether the classroom teaching or e-learning or a combination of both systems will be adopted.

In recent days, several Saudi media outlets have quoted parents expressing concern over the teaching methods for the new school year.

In an effort to stem the virus spread, education departments in different parts of Saudi Arabia have drawn up plans to apply stringent anti-virus precautions, the Al-Yaum report said.

Committees have been formed in different schools to oversee their preparedness and check if health precautions are in place.

While relaxing several virus-induced curbs in recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly warned against violating measures adopted to contain the highly contagious disease including observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of protective face masks in public places and a ban on large gatherings.