Education & Training

Education and Training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Believing in the importance of education, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to providing educational and training opportunities for all members of society. It aims to promote knowledge and skill development through various programs including:

• Early childhood education

• General education (for Saudis and non-Saudis)

• Special education (for people with disabilities)

• Distance learning and e-learning

• School health and safety

• University and higher education

• Vocational and technical training

• Educational opportunities for foreigners

• Domestic and international scholarships

• Digital services such as school evaluation and certificate printing

Objectives of Education in Saudi Arabia

Education aims to strengthen Islamic faith in the hearts of future generations and to equip them with knowledge and skills that enable them to become active, loyal members of their society who are proud of their country’s heritage. (Basic Law of Governance, Article 13)

Ministry of Education Responsibilities

1. Early Childhood Education

• Targets children under the age of six

• Offered through public and private nurseries and kindergartens

• Includes grants for enrolling children in private kindergartens in underserved areas

Key Projects:

• Curriculum development and educational system reform

• Creation of the Virtual Kindergarten app

• Improvement of school facilities and equipment

• Development of basic reading and writing skills

• Health and nutrition promotion

• Standards and assessments for early school admission

The Virtual Kindergarten is a smart app containing learning units aligned with the Saudi curriculum, allowing children in remote areas to access distance education.

General Education

Categories:

• For both citizens and residents

• Compulsory and free in public schools

Stages:

• Elementary: 6 years starting from age 5.5

• Intermediate: 3 years

• Secondary: 3 years, including technical and construction institutes

Education for Non-Saudis

• Non-Saudi residents can enroll in public schools under certain conditions and based on seat availability.

• Foreign schools serving expatriate communities are licensed and supervised by the Ministry of Education.

Special Education (for People with Disabilities)

• Equitable learning environments tailored to students with disabilities

• Special education schools and integrated digital tools (e.g., through the "Madrasti" platform)

Digital Transformation in Education

Key Platforms:

• Noor System: Centralized platform for school registration, grades, certificates, and analytics

• Rawdati & Madrasti: Remote learning platforms

• National Assessment Platform: Standardized digital testing

• Digital Maps and Open Data Platform: Public access to education-related data

E-Learning and Distance Education

Managed by the National Center for Archives and Records, the Kingdom has developed specific standards for:

• General education

• Higher education

• Vocational training

Includes:

• Licensing regulations for e-learning and training programs

• Guide to remote learning

• Digital tools and applications

The "Madrasti" Platform

Provides a comprehensive digital environment to support students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and special education staff. Includes:

• Student guide

• Parent guide

• School leader guide

• Remote teaching strategies

• Special education teacher toolkit

• Directory of special education centers

School Health and Safety

The Ministry of Education places strong emphasis on student health through:

• Periodic health indicators

• Early health education

• School-wide health awareness initiatives

Education During COVID-19

• Implementation of World Health Organization and Ministry of Health guidelines

• Continuity of education via digital and distance learning platforms

• Structured adaptation plan to ensure educational outcomes

School Evaluation

Launched by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission in collaboration with the Ministry:

• "Tarteeb" Index ranks offices, departments, and schools based on student performance in national standardized tests.

• Aims to boost competitiveness and improve learning outcomes.

Higher and University Education

• Public universities offer free bachelor's programs for Saudis along with monthly stipends

• Private universities offer diverse programs

• Graduate studies (Master’s and PhD) require qualifying exams such as Qiyas

Technical and Vocational Training

Provided by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC):

• Operates across the Kingdom

• Offers practical training to equip youth with technical and professional skills for the labor market

Scholarships

• Foreign Scholarships: For Saudi students pursuing education abroad

• Internal Scholarships: For both Saudis and non-Saudis in private institutions

• Includes support for various degrees and training programs

Literacy and Adult Education

• Programs aimed at eradicating illiteracy

• “Learning Neighborhood” Program: Offers training and education to non-literate adults, promoting societal and cultural awareness

Other Educational Initiatives

• Gifted Student Programs: Such as “Mawhiba” for nurturing exceptional talents

• University Exchange: International knowledge-sharing collaborations

• Saudi Digital Library: Thousands of e-books supporting education

• Research Centers: Active support for scientific research

• Prison Education Programs: Educational services to rehabilitate inmates and improve their skills

Key Education Statistics (1443H / 2021–2022)