RIYADH — Over five million students are scheduled to return to their schools Saturday at the start of the second semester of the current academic year. Schools open for all stages of general education, after the schoolchildren's mid-year vacation, Al-Madinah Arabic daily reported Friday. Director General of Education in Riyadh region Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Musnid said the administration with all its departments, offices and schools has completed preparations to start the second semester. He said schools have already received the textbooks before the first semester examinations. They will be handed over to the students Saturday. Meanwhile, Assistant Director General of Education for Boys' Education Affairs Dr. Muhammad Abdulaziz Al-Sudairi said they would intensify supervisory visits during the first day so as to follow up on the preparations of the administration. He further said that the second phase of visits by the supervisory team has begun so as to monitor students' attendance. The Assistant Director General for Girls' Education Affairs Princess Huda Al-Ayaf said all the directorates of the education office and female education supervisors will conduct visits to all the girls' schools so as to ensure a serious start of classes from the very first day. They will also check schools' readiness. Assistant Director General for School Affairs Hamad Abdullah Al-Shinaibir said the administration has provided schools with new equipment at the end of the first semester. Smart boards were installed besides computer laboratories that were provided with tables and chairs. Director of Teachers Affairs Administration Khaled Ali Al-Qahtani said the administration has completed directing 723 female teachers, who have been transferred from the education administrations in the regions to Riyadh.
