Your comprehensive guide to the education system in Saudi Arabia

Is education in Saudi Arabia on the path to development or is Saudi Arabia relying on traditional systems? The Saudi government has paid great attention to education, and its investment in this sector has grown significantly in recent years. As a result, the quality of education in Saudi Arabia has improved significantly, and the country is now ranked among the best performing countries in international assessments such as the PISA test.

The Ministry of Education oversees the education system in Saudi Arabia , with the Saudi government spending nearly 4% of its GDP on education, one of the highest percentages in the world. There are four main types of schools in Saudi Arabia:

• Government schools.
• Private schools.
• International schools.
• Quranic schools.

The education system in Saudi Arabia has undergone major reforms in recent years. In 2019, the government launched a new five-year education development plan that includes a focus on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, preparing students for the workforce, and increasing graduation rates.

In this article, we will talk about education in Saudi Arabia, its types, stages of education in Saudi Arabia, the authorities supervising it, the grants provided by the state and education for the people of the country and other foreigners, and the role of private lessons in Saudi Arabia within the educational system.

Education in Saudi Arabia

The government of Saudi Arabia provides free education at all levels. However, since the late 1990s, the government has privatized education, leading to the establishment of many private schools. The quality of education varies greatly between them and public schools. Private schools tend to be more expensive and have better facilities and resources, but they often teach a more conservative curriculum than public schools.

The language of instruction and education for non-Saudis and Saudis in all schools within the Kingdom is Arabic, with an emphasis on the Islamic religion. However, many private schools offer education in English, and some offer bilingual education.

The education system in Saudi Arabia has several advantages, including:

• Education is compulsory for all Saudi citizens between the ages of 6 and 15.
• Education is of high quality, allowing many students to study at the best universities around the world.
• The system is highly competitive and students who gain a place can generally be confident of receiving a good education.
• It also includes many scholarships in Saudi Arabia, and updates distance learning methods in Saudi Arabia.

There is diversity in education in Saudi Arabia, where after completing primary and middle school students can choose to attend either a public high school or a vocational school. Public high schools prepare students for university, while vocational schools provide training in specific professions such as engineering or agriculture.

Students can attend one of the many universities or colleges spread throughout the country, with the most prestigious universities located in the capital, Riyadh, but there are also many good institutions in other cities such as Jeddah and Dammam.

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Types of education in Saudi Arabia

Education in Saudi Arabia is diverse and gradual. There are three types of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

• General Education

• Special Education

• Higher education.

Public Education: In Saudi Arabia, it is free at all levels, from primary to higher education. Saudi Arabia spends a lot on education in building and maintaining modern schools and universities. In addition, the government offers scholarships in Saudi Arabia for both Saudis and non-Saudis to study abroad.

Private education: Private schools are not free but often have better facilities and resources than public schools. Private schools usually have smaller classes and more experienced teachers than public schools.

There are many private schools in Saudi Arabia, which are usually run by foreign companies or organizations. These schools follow a curriculum from their country of origin, such as the British, American or Indian curricula.

Private school fees are often very high, making them unaffordable for most Saudis. However, many wealthy Saudis send their children to private schools because they feel the quality of education is better than public schools and these schools benefit a lot in educating non-Saudis.

Higher Education: Includes universities, colleges and government technical institutes. There are many prestigious universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University and others, with a focus on ensuring that students receive high-quality education, which provides them with opportunities within Saudi Arabia and in foreign countries. The number of Saudi students enrolled in universities has increased significantly in recent years.

Saudi Arabia also has a large number of private higher education institutions, which offer a wide range of programs, but most of them are not accredited by the government and lack quality assurance mechanisms.

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Supervisory authorities of education in Saudi Arabia

Although there are differences in the types of education in Saudi Arabia, the education system in Saudi Arabia is highly centralized, with the Ministry of Education setting and regulating educational policy throughout the country. It is responsible for supervising education in Saudi Arabia and is primarily responsible for higher education. Although there are private schools, they must follow the same curriculum as public schools.

The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set many foundations that must be adhered to by education supervisors within the country at all stages of education in Saudi Arabia, such as:

• All educational institutions work to ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
• All educational institutions work to provide an environment that is conducive to learning and respects the rights of each individual student.
• Education in Saudi Arabia is segregated by gender and students are taught in single-sex classrooms.
• All educational institutions are committed to promoting national unity and pride, while respecting the cultural diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• The Ministry sets the curriculum standards according to each stage and its requirements and supervises the management of schools.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of educational institutions, the ministry also manages and funds all public universities in the country, while private institutions are mostly funded by religious charities and private investors.
• It also runs teacher training programmes.
• The government required that all children receive basic education, which included religious instruction.
• Higher education is free for Saudi citizens in all government universities.

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Stages of education in Saudi Arabia

Education in Saudi Arabia is based on several educational stages according to age, and each stage differs from the other. The system within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not differ much from other countries. The education system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is divided into four basic stages:

• Primary education.

• Preparatory education.

• Secondary education.

• Higher education.

Primary stage: lasts for six years, compulsory for all children from 6 to 12 years old, consists of two cycles, each lasting three years.

During this stage, students learn basic subjects such as mathematics, science, Arabic language and religious studies. At the end of the primary stage, students take an exam and those who pass it are eligible to choose to join secondary school or vocational training.

Preparatory stage: A three-year stage that is compulsory for all children between the ages of 12 and 15. Students study the basic subjects they studied in primary school, but in a broader and deeper way.

Secondary stage: It lasts for three years and focuses on more specialized subjects. Students can choose to study a scientific or literary track. At the end of secondary stage, students take another exam and those who pass it are eligible to continue with academic or technical higher education according to their choice.

Higher education: In Saudi Arabia, it generally takes place in universities and colleges and can last anywhere from four to six years, depending on the chosen field of study. It is an option for students who wish to continue their studies. There are a number of universities and colleges in Saudi Arabia that offer a variety of degree programs.

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Education for non-Saudis

Given that Saudi Arabia has different nationalities who perform Hajj every year, some of whom reside there for work, the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia provides some private schools that provide their services to non-Saudis, in addition to a number of international schools.

The quality of education in private schools in Saudi Arabia is generally very good, with many schools accredited by international accreditation bodies such as the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

In order for a non-Saudi to obtain a student visa, they must first be enrolled in an educational institution and have a sponsor. The sponsor can be either an educational institution or a Saudi national willing to take responsibility for the student. Once enrolled, students can enroll in private schools or international schools. There are many different types of institutions, each with their own requirements and curricula. Some support distance learning in Saudi Arabia, others require regular student attendance, and other requirements at various stages of education.

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Distance learning in Saudi Arabia

Distance learning has become increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia as a means of accessing educational content and services. The government has responded by investing heavily in developing universities and colleges to provide e-learning options for their students. The Saudi government is also investing in e-learning initiatives and platforms to provide better educational opportunities for its citizens.

The Saudi government has launched several e-learning platforms such as the Distance Learning Center and the E-Learning Portal. These platforms offer a wide range of courses and programs that students can benefit from.

Since 2007 , the Saudi Open University has offered a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that can be completed entirely online.

There are also a number of private universities that offer distance learning programs including private tutoring in Saudi Arabia, usually at a slightly higher cost than public institutions, however, these private universities often offer more flexible study options and cater to a more international student body to support education in Saudi Arabia.

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Private lessons in Saudi Arabia

Private lessons in Saudi Arabia are not criminal, but they are not allowed to be given in public places, as the government wants to protect students and prevent their exploitation.

As parents consider private tutoring a popular way for their children to supplement their regular school education, private tutoring is provided by teachers who are usually either current or retired teachers or college students.

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Lessons usually take place at the student's home, and can be scheduled after school hours or on weekends. Private lesson prices vary depending on the teacher's qualifications and experience, as well as the number of hours the student wants per week.

Private tutoring is considered an important investment by many families in Saudi Arabia, as it provides an opportunity for students to receive individual attention and gain an advantage over their peers.

Private lessons and distance learning are becoming increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia, especially among women. The quality of online courses has improved significantly in recent years, as online private lessons platforms such as Almadrasah.com offer a number of advantages, including:

• Flexibility in choosing the appropriate time for the student.
• More convenient as you do not have to travel to your teacher's location and learn at your place.
• Online courses and scholarships in Saudi Arabia provide a greater learning experience than traditional classroom-based instruction.
• The possibility of direct communication between the teacher and the student and achieving maximum benefit.
• Distance learning makes education more effective than regular classes.
• Online private lessons are just as effective, if not more so, than in-person lessons, because the student gets the teacher's full attention.
• More affordable than in-person private lessons.
• Provides lessons at all levels of education in Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi initiatives to develop education

The state provides a number of scholarships and initiatives to support education in Saudi Arabia for Saudi students wishing to study abroad. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers many other scholarships for students wishing to study in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries.

There are also a number of private organizations that offer scholarships to Saudi students and educational grants to non-Saudis, some of these organizations include the Saudi-American Business Council, the Islamic Development Bank, and King Abdulaziz University.

Scholarships in Saudi Arabia

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a number of scholarships to develop the education system in Saudi Arabia, including:

• King Abdullah Scholarship Program, which provides full scholarships for Saudi students to study abroad in a range of academic disciplines, covering the full cost of tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses for up to four years of study.
• Launch of the Saudi Cultural Mission in Washington, D.C., which aims to promote cultural understanding between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through educational exchange programs.

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• Introducing new bilingual education programmes in schools at all levels of education in Saudi Arabia with a focus on teaching English as a second language.
• In addition to these scholarships, there are also a number of loan programs available to Saudi students wishing to study abroad to assist them with expenses and education affordability.
• Develop new technical and vocational training programs to help Saudis prepare for the country’s growing workforce needs.

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Education for people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi government has been working to improve educational opportunities in Saudi Arabia for people with disabilities in recent years, including:

• The government has opened a number of specialized schools and programs specifically for students with disabilities that meet their special needs.
• The government has also provided training for teachers on how best to support students with special needs.
• Saudi Arabia provides free education for people with disabilities up to the age of 18, after which they can enroll in vocational training or higher education institutions, such as universities and colleges.
• The government has also put in place a number of initiatives to help people with disabilities find work.

These efforts have begun to improve educational outcomes for people with disabilities within the country, including distance learning methods in Saudi Arabia, which greatly help them, but there is more work to be done to ensure that all students receive a good education.

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Conclusion

After learning about the status of education in Saudi Arabia and its types, we found that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia realizes the importance of education and has made it a priority in recent years. As a result, the country has witnessed a significant increase in the number of schools and universities, as well as an improvement in the quality of education. The country has also witnessed a remarkable development in distance learning and scholarships in Saudi Arabia and the advanced technological development undertaken by the state to benefit from all its advantages and raise the level of education at all stages of education in Saudi Arabia.