Saudi Authorities and citizens have geared up for the new academic year, which begins today.

Public transport systems have been expanded, surveillance cameras installed and the kindergarten syllabus diversified to greet the new year.

In addition, first aid medical facilities at schools have been enhanced.

More than 5 million students are scheduled to report to classes by Aug. 31.

Almost 347,000 students have registered for first grade so far, while another 243,079 students are expected to enroll.

The figure is expected to rise after the deadline, according to the Education Ministry, which has made arrangements ahead of the reopening. Free and easy transport to and from schools across the Kingdom is a salient feature for this year.

A total of 1,400 schools were chosen for free transportation in the Makkah region, while 1,200 buses are scheduled to arrive at the Jeddah Islamic Port from abroad for this purpose.

The commuting needs of nearly 800,000 students will accommodated this year alone thanks to the new initiative.

A total of 530 imported buses are already stationed at the port, while more buses are scheduled to arrive gradually by sea, according to Mubarak Osaimi of the Education Ministry.

More than 22,000 yellow buses will be in service when the entire student transportation project is complete, he said.

An exclusive company is maintaining the fleet and a toll free number will be displayed on buses for customer feedback.

The Education Ministry, meanwhile, has appointed 4,038 teachers at schools across the Kingdom.

“The new hires were recruited directly by the ministry without going through the Civil Service Ministry,” said Mohammed Al-Shashari, secretary for administrative affairs in the ministry, in a press statement. “These teachers will be appointed to schools depending on urgency and staff shortage.”

“These graduates, who were appointed in two phases, will be posted in different regions.”

The Education Ministry is also expanding a pilot project base for primary schools, in which around 300 primary school headmasters were trained in Singapore in early learning methods.

The ministry intends to eventually impart online training for selected teachers in a phased manner.