Saudi Education Reforms: New Teacher Hours and 37,500 Promotions

Saudi authorities have announced a package of education reforms aimed at easing teachers' workloads, expanding the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and rewarding thousands of staff with promotions across the sector.

Under the changes, teacher working hours will now follow each school's specific approved timetable, meaning educators can leave once they finish their duties at the end of the school day rather than remaining for a fixed block of time. The move is intended to give schools more flexibility and align staff schedules with actual teaching needs.

The reforms also introduce new artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce the administrative burden on teachers, freeing up more of their time for classroom work. In addition, AI has been expanded within the curriculum itself, giving students greater exposure to the technology as part of their studies.

Promotions and specialization

A total of 37,500 staff will receive promotions, including roughly 28,000 educational staff and about 9,500 administrative staff. The promotions cover a wide range of roles across the education system.

Another key change requires that educators teach only within their area of specialization, a step aimed at improving the quality of instruction and ensuring students learn from qualified subject specialists.

For families and the wider community, the reforms signal a broader push to modernize schools, improve working conditions for teachers, and strengthen classroom outcomes. No fees or costs were announced in connection with the changes.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving