876,117 students begin new academic year as ROP steps up road safety

MUSCAT, SEPT 6
As many as 876,117 students began the new academic year 2026/2027 across the Sultanate of Oman’s 1,298 schools on Sunday which include 440,899 male students, 435,218 female students, and 3,903 students registered in special educational programmes, marking the start of the new academic year, as the Royal Oman Police called on drivers to exercise extra caution during school hours.
Traffic around schools in Muscat, Salalah, Suhar and other wilayats was noticeably heavier on Sunday morning as parents dropped off children for their first day. The Ministry of Education confirmed that public and private schools opened their doors as scheduled, welcoming students from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
“To ensure a smooth start, all schools have carried out orientation sessions, distributed textbooks, and welcomed new students,” a representative from the Omar bin Qattab school in Al Wattayah said, while both teachers and administrators said the focus this term would be on strengthening learning outcomes, digital skills, and student well-being in line with Oman Vision 2040.
‘Safety is a shared responsibility’ ROP begins safety campaign: With the return of school buses and increased pedestrian movement, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Traffic Department launched a renewed road safety awareness campaign today.
In a statement, ROP urged motorists to reduce speed near schools, obey traffic signals and crossing guards, and avoid using mobile phones while driving.
“Parents and drivers must be vigilant, especially during peak hours from 7 am to 8 am and 12 pm to 2 pm,” ROP said. “The safety of our children is a shared responsibility.” Police patrols were deployed around major school zones in Muscat Governorate on Sunday morning to monitor traffic flow and enforce speed limits. ROP also reminded drivers of the penalties for illegal parking near school gates and for failing to stop for school buses.
The authority encouraged parents to use designated drop-off points and to ensure children wear seat belts and cross roads only at marked pedestrian crossings.
For many families, today marked a mix of excitement and nerves. First-grade students were seen entering classrooms with new backpacks, while older students returned to catch up with classmates after the summer break.
The Ministry of Education further said it has completed preparations, including maintenance work, provision of learning materials, and training for teachers on updated curricula. The ministry also emphasised the continued integration of technology in classrooms to support interactive learning.
Education officials noted that this year’s opening coincides with ongoing efforts to raise educational quality and align school outputs with labour market needs.
As children settle into their new routines, ROP reiterated that road safety remains a priority. “Let’s make this school year safe for everyone,” the statement concluded.
With the new term now underway, schools across Oman will focus on academics, activities, and community engagement over the coming months.