Education in Saudi Arabia

Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a comprehensive knowledge process that, according to the Basic Law of Governance, aims to instill Islamic beliefs in the hearts of the youth, endow them with knowledge and skills, and prepare them to be productive members in building their society, loving their homeland, and taking pride in its history. Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is both free and mandatory for citizens and residents in public schools. The education system in the Kingdom is overseen by the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for matters related to schools for boys and girls, as well as higher education. Additionally, the ​​​​​​​Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC)

Regular education in the 1950s. King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah)

Education began in the early stages of the Saudi State with the establishment of the Directorate of Knowledge in 1926, which is considered as laying the foundation stone for the education system in the Kingdom. The state took great interest in education, setting up regulations and institutional structures to oversee this developmental process. In 1928, the resolution to form the first Knowledge Council was made to establish an educational system to oversee education in the Hejaz region. With the establishment of the Kingdom, the powers of the Directorate of Knowledge expanded. By 1932, it supervised all educational affairs in the Kingdom, growing from initially four schools to encompassing 323 schools. In 1945, the Dar al-Tawheed School in Taif was established as the first regular school for the teaching of Arabic and Sharia sciences. As the institutions of the Kingdom developed, the Ministry of Knowledge (now the Ministry of Education) was established in 1953, tasked with planning and supervising general education for boys in its three stages (elementary, intermediate, and secondary). King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz was the first minister of this ministry.

This was followed by the establishment of the General Presidency for Girls Education in 1959, which oversaw fifteen primary schools and one intermediate institute for teachers. This continued until a royal decree in 2003 merged it with the Ministry of Knowledge (currently the Ministry of Education). A year later, the name of the Ministry of Knowledge was changed to the Ministry of Education. The Kingdom continued to pay attention to the educational process, based on the principles of the Basic Law of Governance, which stipulates that the state provides general education and is committed to combating illiteracy. In line with the requirements of development, the Ministry of Higher Education was established by a royal decree in 1975 to implement the Kingdom's policy in higher education. This contributed to an increase in the number of universities in the Kingdom, reaching twenty-nine public universitiesand thirty-eight private universities and colleges, distributed across various regions of the Kingdom. Education in the Kingdom underwent a significant transformation aimed at improving educational outcomes, developing curricula, and reducing the gap between general education and higher education. This was achieved through a royal order issued in January 2015, which merged the Ministries of Education and Higher Education into a single entity named the Ministry of Education.

In line with effective management systems for the educational process, a new organizational structure for the Ministry of Education was announced in May 2019. It focused on flexibility in performing tasks and roles undertaken by the agencies and departments listed in it. This contributes to adapting current and future educational programs and projects to the latest developments and changes that education and its institutions must keep pace with. This reflects on the educational product and aligns with the needs of the labor market. To achieve more flexibility in managing the educational process, the structure of the ministry includes thirteen agencies and sixty-one general administrations, in addition to fourteen general secretariats and offices.

Four departments are linked to the deputy minister: Private General Education, Scholastic Affairs, Educational Programs, and General Education. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Universities, Research, and Innovation is associated with four departments: Research and Innovation, Scholarship, University Education, Private University Education, and Cultural Attaches. Three departments are linked to the assistant minister: Human Resources, Shared Services, and Projects and Maintenance.

The educational process in the Kingdom includes several supporting systems for evaluating and developing education through institutions and platforms that monitor performance. Among them is the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas), which focuses on providing comprehensive, integrated solutions for measuring and evaluating knowledge, skills, and abilities using clear scientific methodologies, under the supervision of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. These systems also include the Unified Registration Platform (Noor System), provided by the Ministry of Education for enrolling in schools for the first grade or early childhood stages, or even for enrolling students in Saudi schools within the Kingdom. Through this platform, a student's guardian can register their son or daughter in any of the public or private schools in the Kingdom. To enhance the flexibility of education in the Kingdom, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, launched the 'Tarteeb Scale.' This indicator ranks education offices, departments, and schools based on their male and female students' scores in the standardized tests conducted by the commission. The goal of the indicator is to stimulate competition among educational administrations and schools to improve outputs and enhance students' performance in these tests. Additionally, the indicator assists male and female students and their parents in identifying schools that are most suitable for them. The 'Safeer' platform also offers smart solutions and services that facilitate the procedures for studying abroad. It relies on the best practices and global standards, in compliance with scholarship regulations and the legislation of the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education in the Kingdom pays exceptional attention to educational curricula. Throughout the course of education, it has added many curricula and conducted several revisions, developments, and updates to the existing ones. This is done in alignment with the Kingdom's aspirations to keep pace with the latest scientific and technological advancements. The developed curricula include: mathematics, science, English language, chemistry, physics, biology, Arabic language, Islamic studies, principles of economics, social studies, intellectual education, continuing education, and physical education guidelines.

On the other side, several curricula have been newly introduced, varying between introducing new fields and adopting them across different stages. The latter include: digital skills, English language, life and family skills, Islamic studies, and art education. Newly introduced curricula include: data science, engineering, Internet of Things, principles of health sciences, business decision-making, introduction to business, financial management, financial literacy, digital technology, arts, fitness and health culture, critical thinking, vocational education, self-defense guides, and others.

Among the newly introduced courses are electronic courses, such as the course on business decision-making. The electronic course typically includes PDF files, interactive activities, motion graphics, questions, video introduction clips, infographics, and images. This type of curriculum represents the modern direction of education in the Kingdom, aimed at diversifying educational and learning resources through a variety of digital knowledge sources that align with the capabilities and needs of the educational field.

Schools in the past after the emergence of computers. King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah)

All stages of general education in the Kingdom are free in government schools for both citizens and residents. Similarly, university education is also free, except for some paid programs. However, residents might need to pay fees for their university education unless they receive a scholarship. Additionally, textbooks are distributed for free to general education students in government schools. University students receive monthly allowances throughout the duration specified in their program plan.

The formal education journey for students in Saudi schools begins with kindergarten, which is optional. After that, compulsory education starts and is divided into three stages: six years of elementary school, three years of intermediate school, and three years of secondary school. Students are typically divided into classes based on age groups, starting from the first grade in elementary school (six-seven years), progressing to the first grade in intermediate school (thirteen-fourteen years), and up to the third grade of secondary school (seventeen-eighteen years), which is the final year of secondary education. After that, education can take various forms, such as academic, vocational, or military. Students receive a diploma after completing two years of study, a bachelor's degree after four years, a master's degree after two years, and a doctorate after three years.

Students in the Kingdom enjoy holidays and official breaks, which include: the weekend on Fridays and Saturdays, the National Day holiday on September 23, the Founding Day holiday on February 22, mid-academic year break, end-of-academic year break, and holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

One of the main characteristics of the Saudi education system is the opportunity it gives students to choose their educational path from an early age. This includes options like public schools, Quran memorization schools, scientific institute high schools, vocational institutes, and even technical and sports institutes. Additionally, schools in the Kingdom offer a diverse range of curricula, encompassing natural sciences and mathematics, languages, such as Chinese and English, religious studies and the Quran, and more.

In all stages of education, student performance is regularly assessed through periodic and final examinations. In addition, there are a number of standardized tests provided by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas), such as the aptitude test, which measures various skills of students. Students pass courses when they comprehend 60 percent or more of the course content. Parents can view their children's results through the 'Noor System,' which also allows for registration and monitoring of students, requesting reports and services, and direct communication with the school administration.

In addition to focusing on education, schools provide school transport services and healthcare. The state also offers educational services for individuals with special needs through schools and educational centers specialized in their education. Moreover, there are initiatives to care for talented and gifted male and female students through various enrichment programs. The development of educational curricula in the Kingdom is contributed to by the 'Tatweer Education Holding Company' and its subsidiaries, a fully state-owned government company. Additionally, the 'Education and Training Evaluation Commission' specializes in developing accreditation standards for curricula, schools, and examinations, and in assessing their quality.

This refers to the care for children under the age of six, aiming to develop their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills and prepare them for subsequent stages. Enrollment in early childhood education can be through both government and private kindergartens. This falls under the responsibilities of the General Department of Early Childhood, which is part of the Agency of General Education. The General Department of Early Childhood is tasked with developing curricula and systems for early childhood education, managing virtual kindergartens, overseeing building and equipment, establishing foundational practices for early childhood reading and writing skills, studying standards and controls for admission regulations and student assessment in early childhood schools, and promoting healthy nutrition in these schools. Additionally, they focus on attracting experts and specialists in this stage. Among its achievements:

- Establishing a television channel targeting children to support the directives of the Ministry of Education

- Opening and constructing several schools (kindergartens and early childhood).

- Preparing studies to support the initiatives and projects of the General Department for Early Childhood.

- Enhancing learning environments in kindergartens using the ECERS-R (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale), according to a scientific methodology and using a standardized scientific tool, in partnership with King Abdulaziz University. This helps in identifying behavior directed towards the quality of educational environments in both government and private kindergartens.

- Implementing a Personal Safety Program to protect children from abuse, in collaboration with AGFUND and UNICEF. This program aims to reinforce personal safety values and skills among children and their caretakers, including teachers and parents, by providing a healthy educational environment that contributes to the development of preventive skills against various forms of abuse and neglect.

- Developing a Mother and Child Education Program, aimed at helping mothers impart essential skills (cognitive, physical, emotional, and social) to their children in line with their developmental characteristics at the age of five. This program is educational to support mothers in raising their children and compensatory for children who cannot attend kindergartens.

- Establishing Early Learning Developmental Standards for kindergartens for the early age group of three to six years in the Kingdom. These standards aid institutions and groups directly related to raising and educating children in understanding expectations of what a child should know and be able to do. This document serves as a descriptive guide for the knowledge, behaviors, and skills expected to be possessed by children, which will contribute to building their personality in subsequent learning stages, helping them become productive and effective citizens in their society.

The General Department for Early Childhood has launched several initiatives, including:

- Developing kindergartens and expanding their services to cover all provinces of the Kingdom, to ensure equitable, inclusive, and quality education for all, and to enhance lifelong learning opportunities for everyone through the indicator (gross enrollment ratios in kindergartens), one of its main goals is to raise the enrollment rate of children in kindergartens from 17 percent to 90 percent by 2030.

- Launching an early childhood initiative to increase enrollment rate in the early grades by assigning the teaching of boys and girls to female teachers from the beginning of the 2019 academic year.

- Introducing Virtual Kindergarten, an electronic application that includes educational units aligned with the Saudi curriculum, to provide education to the largest number of children remotely.

In the pursuit of spreading education in the Kingdom, the government has supported the fight against illiteracy and adult education technically, financially, and administratively. A time plan based on statistics is developed by the relevant educational entities to accommodate illiterate individuals and eradicate illiteracy. Ministries and concerned departments collaborate to implement this plan. The Ministry of Education established an early and clear roadmap for combating orthographic illiteracy across various provinces and governorates of the country. This effort significantly contributed to reducing the illiteracy rate to 3.7 percent in 2022. Within this framework, the Kingdom launched an educational and training program that spans an entire academic year, known as the learned neighborhood program that focuses on eradicating both orthographic and cultural illiteracy among trainees. The program targets adults of both genders aged fifteen and above who cannot read or write, as well as adults of both genders between the ages of fifteen and sixty who hold an educational qualification less than a university degree.

Non-Saudi residents in the Kingdom can enroll in general education at all levels under several conditions, including the availability of a sufficient number of teachers and classrooms, without the need to rent additional buildings. This is done after the enrollment of Saudi students is completed. In the first grades of both intermediate and secondary stages, admission for non-Saudi students begins with the start of the second round of exams, after the completion of the deportation of Saudi students who passed in the first round, and after reserving seats for those who need to complete their courses.

Preference in seat allocation among non-Saudi children for the remaining vacant seats is given to children of contractors with the government sector residing in the Kingdom who were enrolled in government schools in the previous academic year. Preference is given to those born in the Kingdom, and to new students from the children of contractors with the government sector who are transferring from private schools, provided there are vacant seats available according to the specified quota. Children of contractors in the private sector can also be registered, and the same preferences that apply to children of contractors in the government sector are applied to them. Those who do not meet these conditions, or for whom no vacant seats are available, are transferred to private schools after the end of the first semester, as their acceptance in government schools is subject to these controls and the procedures of vacant seat prioritization at the beginning of each academic year, to ensure fairness and equality for all. This excludes the children of Saudi women and non-Saudi fathers, children of citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, children of displaced tribes holding five-year cards and those in similar situations, children of the Yemeni community, and children of diplomats holding diplomatic cards, who are all treated on par with Saudi students.

Additionally, the option of education and training for expatriate communities residing in the Kingdom is available through private foreign schools. These schools provide appropriate education for their children within specific regulations, ensuring the continuity of their education upon returning to their home countries. The Ministry of Education is responsible for licensing and supervising foreign schools and their branches through its relevant entity. Each foreign school is responsible for determining its level in the educational and academic community, ensuring the continuity of the educational journey for residents in the Kingdom. The Private Education Office supervises private and international schools/institutes to monitor the education provided to citizen and resident, male and female students in terms of excellence and quality while aligning with the educational approach and policy in the Kingdom, aiming to achieve the future vision for growth in private sector investment in the educational and pedagogical process.

The Ministry of Education provides equal learning opportunities and support systems for all students, with special attention to the education of students with disabilities. This is within an environment that meets their health and psychological needs, contributing to enhancing their learning outcomes. Among the most prominent interactive services established by the ministry for this category is the educational map for institutes and special education programs in educational administrations.

Among the programs that universities allocate for male and female students with special needs are the maps of schools and special education centers, which are divided into:

- The Educational Map - Schools: 'Interactive maps provided by the Ministry of Education that show the locations of schools and educational facilities in the Kingdom by province, governorate, type (public, private, foreign education), educational system, and gender. It also allows for viewing the locations of special education schools for students with disabilities.'

- The Educational Map - Special Education Programs and Institutes: 'Interactive maps provided by the Ministry of Education to illustrate the locations of schools, institutes, and special education programs for individuals with disabilities in various educational administrations in the Kingdom. It includes all educational stages from kindergarten to secondary school, and is available for both genders.'

Princess Nourah University. (SPA)

University education in the Kingdom is offered in two formats: free government academic education and paid private academic education, as follows:

Saudi government universities offer bachelor's degree programs free of charge to citizens. All regular students and international scholarship students receive monthly stipends during their study period. The admission system in Saudi government universities is subject to several conditions, including obtaining a general secondary school diploma and passing aptitude tests as required for the chosen major or college. There are twenty-nine government universities in the Kingdom, which are:

- Umm al-Qura University, which was originally founded in 1950 as a College of Sharia in Makkah al-Mukarramah. It later became a university in 1981.

- Islamic University, established in 1962.

- Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University, which was initially established as a College of Sharia in 1953, and later became a university in 1974.

- King Saud University, which was the first university established in the Kingdom in 1957.

- King Abdulaziz University, established in 1967.

- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral, established in 1963.

- King Faisal University, established in 1975.

- King Khalid University, established in 1998.

- Qassim University, established in 2003.

- Taibah University, established in 2003.

- Taif University, which was initially established in 1980 as a College of Education and later became a university in 2003.

- Hail University, established in 2005.

- Jazan University, established in 2005.

- Al-Jouf University, established in 2005.

- Al-Baha University, established in 2006.

- Tabuk University, established in 2006.

- Najran University, established in 2006.

- Northern Border University, established in 2007.

- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, established in 2006.

- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, established in 2005.

- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, established in 1975.

- Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, established in 2009.

- Shaqra University, established in 2009.

- Majmaah University, established in 2009.

- Saudi Electronic University, established in 2011.

- University of Jeddah, established in 2014.

- University of Bisha, established in 2014.

- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, established in 2009.

- University of Hafr al-Batin, established in 2014.

Alfaisal University One of the private universities in Riyadh City. (SPA)

Private universities in the Kingdom offer undergraduate programs in a variety of general and specialized fields. There are thirty-eight private universities and colleges in the Kingdom including:

- Arab Open University, established in 1996.

- University of Business and Technology, established in 2000.

- Prince Sultan University, established in 1999.

- Fahad Bin Sultan University, established in 2003.

- Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, established in 2006.

- Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University, established in 2013.

- King Faisal University, established in 2002.

- Al-Yamamah University, established in 2005.

- Dar al-Uloom University, established in 2008.

- Effat University, established in 1998.

- Dar al-Hekma University, established in 1999.

- Riyadh Elm University, established in 2004.

- Almaarefa University, established in 2009.

- Al-Mustaqbal University, established in 2002.

- Sulaiman Alrajhi University, established in 2009.

- Gulf Colleges, established in 2015.

- Alasala Colleges, established in 2016.

- Onaizah Colleges, established in 2016.

- Ibn Rushd College for Management Sciences, established in 1999.

- Ibn Sina National College, established in 2003.

- Al-Baha Private College of Science, established in 2004.

- Batterjee Medical College, established in 2005.

- Al-Riyada College for Health Sciences, established in 2006.

- Al-Rayan Private Colleges in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, established in 2018.

- Arab East Colleges for graduate studies, established in 2007.

- Inaya Medical College, established in 2011.

- Al-Ghad International College for Applied Medical Sciences, established in 2009.

- Vision College of Dentistry and Nursing in Jeddah, established in 2010.

- Buraydah Colleges for Medical Sciences, established in 2008.

- SAAD College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, established in 2009.

- Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, established in 2011.

- Mohammed al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, established in 2003.

- Alfaisal University - Prince Sultan College of Business, established in 2001.

- Northern College of Nursing, established in 2021.

- Vision Colleges in Riyadh, established in 2009.

- Al-Fayha Private College, established in 2022.

- Almoosa College of Health Science, established in 2020.

- Jeddah International College, established in 2015.

Aerial image of Jubail Technical Institute building. (SPA)

This type of education includes technical and vocational colleges for both boys and girls, and specialized technical colleges with their four branches: Communications and Information, Digital, Tourism and Hospitality, and International Technical Colleges.

1- Technical Colleges: These colleges target secondary school graduates or equivalent from both genders, enabling them to obtain an intermediate diploma. They offer applied undergraduate programs in a range of colleges to qualify them as technical engineers.

The technical colleges for boys include: Technical College in al-Bahah, al-Mikhwah, al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, al-Jawf, Dawmat al-Jandal, Tabarjal, al-Qurayyat, Rafha, Ar'ar, Turayf, Riyadh, al-Aflaj, al-Artawiyyah, al-Kharj, ad-Dawadimi, Az-Zulfi, As-Sulayyil, al-Quway'iyyah, al-Majma'ah, Rumah, Wadi ad-Dawasir, al-Hariq, Hawtat Bani Tamim, Hawtat Sudayr, Afif, Shaqra, Thadiq, al-Ahsa, Dammam, Qatif, Hafr al-Batin, Buraydah, Unayzah, al-Badai', al-Hanakiyyah, al-Ula, al-Asyah, ar-Rass, al-Midhnab, al-'Is, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, Mahd, Badr, Khaybar, Yanbu, Ummlujj, Tabuk, Haql, al-Wajh, Tayma, Duba, Abu 'Arish, ad-Darb, Ardah, al-Da'ir, Jazan, Samitah, al-'Idabi, Farasan, al-Ha'it, ash-Shinan, Baq'a, Hail, Abha, Ahad Rufaydah, an-Namas, Balqarn, Bishah, Tanumah, Khamis Mushayt, Rijal Alma, Sarat Abidah, Dhahran al-Janub, Mahayil Aseer, al-Farshah, Tathlith, Adam, Taif, al-Qunfudhah, al-Qawz, al-Lith, Turubah, Jeddah, Ranyah, Makkah al-Mukarramah, Maysan, Najran, Yadamah, Hubuna, and Sharurah.

The technical colleges for girls include: Technical College for Girls in al-Bahah, al-Jawf, Qurayyat, Ar'ar, Riyadh, al-Aflaj, al-Kharj, ad-Dawadimi, az-Zulfi, al-Quway'iyyah, al-Majma'ah, Shaqra, Wadi ad-Dawasir, al-Ahsa, Hafr al-Batin, al-Bada'i, ar-Rass, Buraydah, Unayzah, al-Midhnab, Madinah al-Munawwarah, Yanbu, Tabuk, Jazan, Hail, Abha, an-Namas, Khamis Mushayt, Sarat Abidah, Mahayil Aseer, Bishah, Balqarn, Taif, Jeddah, Makkah al-Mukarramah, and Najran.

Specialized Technical Colleges:

Communications and information

- College of Telecom and Information in Riyadh.

- College of Communications and Electronics in Jeddah.

Digital

- Digital Technical College for Girls in Riyadh.

- Digital Technical College for Girls in al-Ahsa.

- Digital Technical College for Girls in Jeddah.

Tourism and hospitality

- College of Tourism in al-Muzahimiyyah.

- College of Tourism in al-Qassim.

- College of Tourism and Hospitality in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

- College of Tourism and Hospitality in Taif.

2- International Technical Colleges: These are government technical colleges that offer training through international operators. These colleges offer a diploma degree after two years, preceded by a preparatory year in English. Then, an applied engineering bachelor's program is offered at the Technical Trainers College. Some of the international technical colleges include:

- The International Aviation Technical College in Riyadh.

- International Tourism and Hospitality College in Riyadh

- The International Technical College in al-Juaymah (ITQAN).

- The International Technical College for Girls in al-Khubar

- The International Technical College for Girls in al-Qatif.

- The International Technical College for Girls in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

- The International Technical College for Girls in Jeddah.

- The International Technical College for Girls in Makkah al-Mukarramah.

The Ministry of Education offers several programs and facilities for university students with disabilities. This includes the preparatory year program, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world. Additionally, universities form specialized committees, such as the Scientific Committee, the Curricula Committee, and the Support Services Committee. These committees work on setting standards and conditions for nominating admitted students in Saudi universities, ensuring that the programs for people with disabilities act as a center of expertise and a scientific reference in the field of education, training, and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities and those working with them. Important services for students with disabilities in Saudi universities include adapting the environment with suitable lighting, classrooms and classroom seating, and exam venues. Additionally, they offer facilities for presenting information, like providing presentations with visuals and videos to clarify information for students with learning or hearing difficulties during the lecture, allowing lecture recordings, extending the time for information presentations, and offering note-takers for male and female students experiencing writing challenges in capturing essential lecture notes. Moreover, sign language interpreters are available for students with hearing disabilities.

Facilities are also provided for evaluating students with disabilities, involving the development and adoption of assessment methods suited to their abilities. This includes conducting oral examinations, reading questions to them, or presenting questions in Braille for blind students. Among the most notable programs that universities offer for male and female students with special needs are:

The Preparatory Year: A program offered by King Saud University for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It aims to 'strengthen the linguistic aspects of the students before they join higher education programs while providing all types of support services both inside and outside the lecture halls. Additionally, it facilitates the transition from the secondary education environment to the high education environment.'

The Universal Access Program: A program offered by King Saud University aimed at creating a supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. It involves adhering to international standards to overcome any architectural, technical, or educational barriers, and equipping faculty members with sufficient expertise to train and prepare students with disabilities for education and learning in an environment where they can be independent.

The Students with Disabilities Support Center: This program is offered by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. It includes assessing the academic needs of female students, providing educational session programs, offering assistive devices and technologies, and conducting training courses for female students with special needs.

The programs offered by universities for male and female students with special needs also include educational grants. In the Kingdom, every regular student in special education institutes and programs is granted a monthly stipend based on their educational stage, ranging between SAR300 and SAR450 for those living with their families, or between SAR90 and SAR180 for students residing in dormitories. Additionally, a financial reward of SAR400-SAR800 is granted to each individual with a disability enrolled in a rehabilitation program, with an increase if they are supporting a family. Graduates also receive a grant of SAR50,000 to start a business in their field of training.

The concept of scholarship programs was introduced to develop the education system and shape universities in the Kingdom, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in specializations and expertise. The first Saudi student missions abroad began during the era of King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, starting in 1927. These scholarship programs evolved when the Kingdom launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program in 2005, aiming to prepare distinguished generations for a knowledge-based society, built on the economy of knowledge. The program continued for three stages, each stage lasting five years. In the third stage, new tracks were introduced, including the elite universities track, the medical track, the international scholarships track, and the excellence track. In addition, qualitative specializations have been developed to align with Saudi Vision 2030, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Air Transport, and Health Specializations.

The Efad programs target educational job holders, enabling them to study at Saudi universities and international universities to obtain Master's and Doctoral degrees in specific and designated specialties according to the needs of the educational community.

Building of the Ministry of Education. (SPA)

The 'Noor' system was established to digitally manage the educational process, connecting all educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Education through an integrated database. The system is designed to serve participants in the learning and teaching process, including students, teachers, school principals, supervisors, administrators, and parents, each according to their roles and needs. Some of the services provided by the system include electronically entering and verifying male and female students' grades, recording and monitoring students' academic status, displaying academic results, facilitating transitions between different grades and educational stages, generating necessary reports, and providing essential information about the educational process as needed and in the desired format.

It is an electronic system adopted by the Ministry of Education to serve education professionals across all provinces of the Kingdom. It represents the ministry's initial step towards e-government access. The system aims to eliminate obstacles for education professionals when interacting with the system and provide a range of electronic services to increase productivity, save time and effort for both ministry staff and service users, and enhance the development of electronic transactions.

The 'Madrasati' platform has been designed to support learning and education processes. It includes a variety of digital educational tools that contribute to achieving educational objectives for curricula and courses. The platform also allows for monitoring and managing the learning process in line with contemporary requirements. It provides guides and service manuals, such as the Student Guide, Parent Guide, School Principal Guide, Remote Teaching Strategies Guide, and Special Education Teacher Guide. These comprehensive guides are available for institutes, centers, and special education programs.

It is a platform launched by the Ministry of Education for the kindergarten stage in 2021. The platform aims to provide digital educational content for children before the elementary stage through technological solutions that support self-learning for children. It offers an interactive learning environment that includes both synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. Additionally, it allows for remote monitoring of the learning progress of kindergarten students through virtual classrooms. The platform also facilitates communication between female school staff, female educational supervisors, and parents.

It is a gateway that supports digital empowerment in education. Its goal is to enhance the processes of teaching and learning by providing reliable online educational services for all students, teachers, educational leaders, supervisors, and parents. It serves as a trusted academic reference for students, a supportive resource for male and female teachers, and a tool for parents for monitoring. The platform also enables education stakeholders to assess learning processes, track progress, and identify areas of strength and weakness in the educational process.

Rawdati Application: An application that allows for the management of e-learning through an interactive educational environment that complements classroom lessons both inside and outside of school. It targets students and parents and includes various automated educational activities.

The Virtual Kindergarten: An application that includes a comprehensive educational system for early childhood education and is available to all individuals within the Kingdom, whether they are nationals or residents.

Madrasati: An application that allows the management of e-learning through an interactive educational environment that complements classroom lessons both within and outside the school. The application targets students and parents, offering a variety of automated educational activities.

Madrasati – Results: An application that allows the review of students' results and their files, which contain personal and academic data specific to the student, whether the viewer is the student themselves or their parent and the students under their care. It also allows the possibility to review the academic calendar and upcoming academic events.

Safeer al-Talaba: An application that provides faster services for students studying abroad, such as: tracking the status of applications submitted on the electronic portal, modifying contact information, displaying data of the attached, reviewing bank statements, searching in recommended universities, and more.

Tawasul: An application that allows communication with the Minister of Education and officials of the Ministry of Education in all its sectors, the presentation of proposals and inquiries, the expression of opinions, and the follow-up on complaints and procedures

iEN Toolkit: An application available on all smart devices. It includes all Saudi educational courses for all stages of general education in the form of digital content.

TAM: An application that allows tracking of the programs, initiatives, and projects of the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom.

Tadreebook: An application provided by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, made available to all citizens and residents. It enables them to verify the existence of licenses for training facilities and check the compliance of courses offered by private training institutions. Additionally, it allows the submittal of reports or feedback on private training facilities and their courses.

Rayat: An application affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. Its services are aimed at trainees and provide the ability to monitor the trainee's schedule, attendance, financial rewards, training record, exempted subjects, trainee information, evaluation form, and form printing.

Mawhiba: An application that allows users to access various Mawhiba programs. It also provides special services for talented male and female students in the Kingdom, allowing them to review Mawhiba programs and participate in them.

Beneficiaries Support: An application affiliated with the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. It aims to support beneficiaries by serving as a unified platform for providing support services and communication.

The Educational Services in Royal Commission for Jubail: An application that provides electronic services to the employees of the Educational Services Management in Jubail. It includes features such as a data system, a learning management system, parent meetings, the latest news from the management, the ability to view school contacts, general services in Jubail Industrial City, as well as coordinates of school locations through Google Maps, residential area distribution, the academic calendar, a photo album, and other services.

The King Khalid University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of King Khalid University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The King Abdulaziz University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of King Abdulaziz University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The Umm al-Qura University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of Umm al-Qura University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The King Saud University Students Application: An application that targets the affiliates of King Saud University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The King Saud University Application: An application that allows users to learn about the history of the university, its facilities, endowments, and the latest news. It also provides access to the university calendar, adopted official holidays, inquiries about transactions, results of admission requests, verification of identification letters, and communication with the university.

The Taibah University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of Taibah University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The Northern Border University Application: An application that targets the affiliates of the Northern Border University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The Taif University (My University) Application: An application that targets the affiliates of Taif University, including students, faculty members, employees, and visitors, with its services.

The Electronic Services Application for Princess Nourah University: An application that targets the affiliates of Princess Nourah University, including female students, faculty members, staff, and visitors with its services.

Education in the Kingdom encompasses a number of modern education types and systems, including distance education and e-learning. The National Center for Documentation and Archives has adopted e-learning standards for education and training in the Kingdom. These standards include: e-learning standards for general education in the Kingdom, e-learning standards for higher education in the Kingdom, e-learning standards for training in the Kingdom, and the regulations for licensing the provision of e-learning and training programs.

Education in the Kingdom also includes technical and vocational training. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation offers numerous training programs in its training facilities, as well as in institutes of strategic partnerships, and international technical colleges, in addition to training programs in private training facilities, and flexible community support programs. The total number of facilities of the corporation reaches 260, covering all provinces of the Kingdom. The number of trainees continuously enrolled in various training programs exceeds 240,000. The institution also handles the licensing and supervision of private training facilities, which number 1,011. These are institutes and training centers (for-profit) that are non-governmental, established by the private sector to offer training, technical, and vocational programs.

Secondary institutes

These are training institutes that allow graduates of the intermediate stage of general education in the first and second years of secondary school to enroll in their programs and obtain a diploma after completing a training period of three years. The programs are offered in both morning and evening sessions for all levels and for all segments of society. Secondary institutes spread across most provinces of the Kingdom, such as: the Secondary Industrial Institute in al-Mikhwah, al-Bahah, Tabarjal, al-Jawf, al-Qurayyat, Turayf, Rafha, Riyadh, al-Aflaj, al-Kharj, ad-Dawadimi, al- Zulfi, al-Majma'ah, Wadi ad-Dawasir, Bani Tamim, Hawtat Sudayr, Shaqra, Afif, al-Ahsa, Dammam, Hafr al-Batin, ar-Rass, al-Midhnab, Buraydah, Unayzah, al-Bada'i, al-Hanakiyyah, al-Ula, Mahd adh-Dhahab, Badr, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, al-Wajh, Ummlujj, Tabuk, Tayma, Duba, Samitah, Jazan, Sabya, al-'Idabi, Hail, Dhahran al-Janub, Balqarn, Sarat Abidah, Abha, al-Haridhah, Bishah, Khamis Mushayt, Mahayil Aseer, al-Farshah, Tathlith, Jeddah, Taif, al-Qunfudhah, al-Lith, Makkah al-Mukarramah, Najran, Sharurah.

Secondary institutes for architecture and construction

Among these are: the Secondary Institutes for Architecture and Construction in Riyadh, Mohammed al-Khudair Secondary Institute for Architecture and Construction in Riyadh al-Khabra, Secondary Institutes for Architecture and Construction in Jazan, and Secondary Institutes for Architecture and Construction in Hali.

Industrial institutes in prisons and reformatories

These were established by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation in collaboration with the General Directorate of Prisons. They target inmates in prisons and female inmates in girls' care homes during their sentence period, to train and qualify them in specialized professional programs and courses, and to grant them a certificate from the regional Industrial Institute without indicating the place of obtaining the qualification. Among these institutes are: the Industrial Institute in the prisons of al-Baha, al-Mikhwah, al-Qurayyat, Sikaka, Ar'ar, Rafha, ad-Dawadimi, Wadi ad-Dawasir, al-Ahsa, al-Jubayl, Khubar, Dammam, Hafr al-Batin, ar-Rass, Buraydah, Unayzah, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, Yanbu, Tabuk, Jazan, Hail, Abha, an-Namas, Bishah, Mahayil Aseer, Taif, al-Qunfudhah, Jeddah, Makkah al-Mukarramah, Najran, the Training Institute in al-Ha'ir Reformatory Prison, and the Women's Training Institute in al- Ha'ir Prison.

These are free technical training institutes established, licensed, and supervised by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, in cooperation with the private sector in their operation. These institutes offer technical training programs to secondary school graduates or equivalent, with varying durations, and include employment as a trainee.

Communications and information technology sector

- Saudi Digital Academy

- National Information Technology Academy

- National Academy for Telecom and Services

Transport and logistics services sector

- National Aviation Academy in Riyadh

- National Aviation Academy in Rabigh

- Saudi Logistics Academy

- National Maritime Academy

- Saudi Railway Polytechnic in Buraydah (SRP)

- Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute in Jeddah (SJAHI)

- MATARAT Academy

Energy, petroleum, and gas sector

- Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic in Riyadh

- Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic in al-Juaymah

- Saudi Electric Services Polytechnic in Baysh

- Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic in al-Khafji

- Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic in Dammam

- Saudi Arabian Drilling Academy

- National Power Academy

- Saudi Polytechnic Institute for Renewable Energy

- Energy and Water Academy

Tourism sector

- Higher Institute for Tourism and Hospitality

- High Institute for Tourism and Hospitality in al-Bahah

- High Institute for Tourism and Hospitality in Jazan

- National Training Center for Facilities and Hospitality Management (FHM)

- Qoot Academy

- Tamkeen Institute of Technology

- Neom Academy

Industrial sector

- Higher Institute for Plastics Fabrication

- Riyadh Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

- Saudi Electronics and Home Appliances Institute (SEHAI)

- Food Industries Polytechnic (FIP)

- Leading National Academy (LNA)

- National Industrial Training Institute (NITI)

- Inspection Technology and Quality Assurance National Institute (ITQAN)

- Higher Institute for Paper and Industrial Technologies (HIPIT)

Entertainment sector

- Saudi Entertainment Academy - al-Nasiriyyah

- Saudi Entertainment Academy - ar-Rabwah

Retail and consumer goods sector

Cenomi Academy

Military industries sector

National Academy for Military Industries

Culture and national heritage sector

Culinary Art and Protocol International Academy

Education and innovation sector

Academy 32

Financial services sector

Finance and Accounting Center of Excellence

Real estate and construction and building services sector

- Maharat Construction Training Center (MCTC)

- National Construction Academy (NCA)

Metals and mining sector

Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP)

Food and agriculture sector

National Institute of Agricultural Technologies and Food Production

General Aptitude Test (GAT)

It is an exam held for secondary school graduates who wish to continue their studies in higher education institutions. It assesses various abilities related to the learning process, such as the analytical and deductive abilities of the student, in two parts: verbal and quantitative.

Academic Achievement Test

It is a standardized measure for all secondary graduates, aiming to provide a fair and accurate standard for everyone. Its purpose is to assist educational entities beyond secondary school in selecting the most academically accomplished students in secondary school courses.

Post-Graduate General Aptitude Test (PGAT)

PGAT is a standardized measure for all university students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies. It serves as a fair and accurate standard for everyone. It assists educational entities offering postgraduate programs in selecting students with the most intellectual capacity to pursue and meet the study requirements of studying at those entities.

The Kingdom provides special care for the gifted and talented to develop their talents and guide them, offering opportunities in their areas of talent. It strives to adopt the latest methods for their discovery, develop specialized study programs for them, and provide many appreciative advantages to encourage them, such as the Mawhiba program offered by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity.

The Kingdom places great emphasis on research and innovation, aiming to be among the top ten countries in the Global Competitiveness Index. Scientific research institutions supporting this field include King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and other Saudi research institutions, as well as research centers established by most universities, which focus on various scientific, technical, and research fields.

It is a developmental initiative for lifelong learning, providing youth of both genders with the necessary life skills, enhancing the values of learning, and offering a variety of training opportunities.

This program is launched with the desire to enhance international cooperation in the field of higher education in order to develop capabilities, acquire knowledge, exchange benefits, and strengthen international relations between universities. The program allows for the utilization of programs available in other countries.

It is a program targeting students over seventeen years old to impart basic skills and enable them to make the most of their free time during the vacation.

It is a vast and advanced digital library, containing various disciplines that support the educational process. It meets the needs of beneficiaries in higher education institutions in the Kingdom and contains approximately 680,000 e-books in various fields.

Among the achievements that the Kingdom has made in the field of education are:

- The increase in the number of Saudi universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings to twenty-one Saudi universities, compared to six universities in 2019, as per the latest version of the ranking for 2023.

- In 2022, the Kingdom ranked first among Arab countries in the number of published research papers, and secured the top position in the Arab world and the thirtieth position globally in the 'Nature Index' for the quality of scientific research.

- The Kingdom achieved the third position in the Total Expenditure on Education index, according to the 2022 Global Competitiveness Report.

- The Kingdom advanced five ranks in the Human Development Index issued by the 2022 United Nations Development Program report.

- The Kingdom advanced in sixteen indicators of global competitiveness in the education sector as per the 2022 World Competitiveness Yearbook.

- Education in the Kingdom advanced four places in the education axis, ranking thirty-seventh compared to forty-first in 2022.

- The Kingdom achieved the first position in the Arab world in the number of registered patents for 2022.

- The Kingdom achieved the twenty-sixth position in the Intellectual Property Rights index in 2022, compared to the thirtieth position in 2022.

- Education in the Kingdom received two excellence certificates at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2022, organized by the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme: Information and Communication Technologies for Well-being, Inclusiveness, and Resilience. The certificates were for the project 'Test System on Madrasati Platform' presented by the Ministry of Education in the category of Access to Information and Knowledge, and the project 'Business Development Support Center' presented by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in the category of E-Science.

- The Kingdom's ranking jumped to twenty-fourth in the 2022 World Competitiveness Yearbook report, issued by the World Competitiveness Center of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), compared to thirty-second in 2021.

- Saudi students won eighty-eight awards and medals in Olympiads and international competitions in 2022.

- Education in the Kingdom achieved advanced results in education, research, and innovation indicators within the global competitiveness indices, where it climbed nine places in the University Education Achievements Index to advance to the twenty-eighth position in 2022, compared to the thirty-seventh in the preceding year.

- Three Saudi universities advanced in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (King Abdulaziz University, King Saud University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals), where they achieved high ranks between fifty-first and 319th globally in the fields of Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences and Medicine, and also in the theoretical specialization of Social Sciences and Management.

- Education in the Kingdom advanced in the overall QS World University Rankings, with fourteen Saudi universities included in the 2022 rankings, compared to nine universities in 2019.

- Education in the Kingdom jumped to the thirty-first position in 2022, in the global university rankings axis, specifically in the 'Times Higher Education World University Rankings', compared to the thirty-ninth position in 2021.

- King Abdulaziz University ranked among the top one hundred universities worldwide in the field of Engineering and Technology, where it was placed fifty-first globally, advancing 125 places from the 2019 ranking. It also achieved 132nd place globally in Natural Sciences, moving up seventy-eight places from the same period. In the field of Life Sciences and Medicine, it ranked 109th globally, advancing ninety-four places from the 2019 ranking. Additionally, it ranked 104th in Social Sciences and Management, moving up 245 places from the same ranking, and advanced 102 places in Humanities and Arts to rank 271st globally.

- The Kingdom received more than six hundred international and regional awards as part of students' participation in international forums in 2021.

- Saudi universities have achieved a total of 1,871 patents, registered from 2015 to 2021, with 81 percent of them being registered in the United States of America.

- The Kingdom excelled in three sub-indicators of the Global Innovation Index for 2021, advancing over 105 countries in the General Research and Development Index, achieving the twenty-sixth position among 131 countries.

- Education in the Kingdom achieved the twenty-ninth position, surpassing 102 countries in the Higher Education Enrollment Index in 2021. This index measures the total higher education enrollment rate, irrespective of the age segment, relative to the population officially aligned with the higher education level.

- Ten talented male and female students received ten medals: three gold, six silver, and one bronze, at the International of Inventions and Innovations Exhibition ITEX 2021 held in Malaysia.

- Education in the Kingdom has advanced two positions in the Scientific Infrastructure axis, achieving the thirtieth position in 2022, compared to the thirty-second position in 2021. This contributed to the Kingdom's progress in one of the main axes in the report, which is the infrastructure axis, with the axis maintaining an upward trajectory since 2018.

- The Kingdom has advanced two positions in the Global Innovation Index ranking in 2020, becoming the second most advanced country among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in this field.

- Three government universities ranked among the top fifty universities in the list of the top one hundred universities in the world for patents in 2020, according to the annual ranking by the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association for universities based on the number of registered patents in the United States.

- King Abdulaziz University achieved the thirty-third position in the list of the top one hundred universities in the world in terms of patents in 2020, jumping fifty places in just one year.

- UNESCO has designated the Yanbu Industrial City as an International Learning City, making it the second Saudi city to receive this recognition after Jubail Industrial City.

- The 'Madarasti' platform model was chosen as one of the top four global models for distance education by UNESCO.

- The Kingdom achieved the twelfth position in the Global Knowledge Index for Technical Education and Vocational Training in 2021.

- Education in the Kingdom has made progress in the indicators related to education, research, and innovation in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022 report, published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD)'s World Competitiveness Center. This progress reflects the wise leadership's commitment to education at all levels.

- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has commended the Kingdom for its achievements in the field of e-learning governance. This recognition is based on UNESCO's publication titled 'Guidelines for ICT in education policies and masterplans.' It considered the National eLearning Center in the Kingdom a global example in developing quality control and assurance mechanisms to ensure the quality of digital solutions provided in the field of e-learning.

- A study issued by the World Bank has commended e-learning in the Kingdom, titled: 'Digital Education and Distance Learning in the Kingdom: Experiences from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Opportunities for Improving Education.'

- UNESCO has recognized of the Kingdom's experience in distance learning and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of four global practices, alongside South Korea, China, and Finland. The report, prepared by UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, described 'Madrasati' platform as one of the largest implemented learning platforms in the Arab world.

- The Kingdom's tally of major awards at the ISEF exhibition has surged to fifty-three grand prizes and thirty special awards since its participation began in 2007.

- Four Saudi universities in patent registration rank among the top one hundred universities for patent registrations at the US Patent Office.

- Twenty-six Saudi universities have made it into the 'Nature Index' list.

- Twenty-one Saudi universities have entered the Times World University Rankings.

- Twelve Saudi universities have made it to the 2023 Shanghai Global University Ranking, compared to seven universities in 2022.

- Sixteen Saudi universities have entered the QS World University Rankings.

- Twenty-two Saudi universities have been included in the British Times University Impact Rankings for their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2022.

- Twenty-seven Saudi universities have made it into the Times International Ranking of Established and Emerging Universities.

- King Saud University ranked 185th globally in Engineering and Technology in 2022, advancing eighty positions from 2019. Additionally, it secured the 295th position worldwide in Natural Sciences, moving up 106 places compared to 2019. Furthermore, it achieved the 171st spot in Life and Science and Medicine, an improvement of eighty-three positions. In addition, it was ranked 319th globally in Social Sciences and Management, marking a progress of fifty-seven places compared to 2019.

- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals achieved the eighty-seventh position in the list of the top one hundred universities worldwide in Engineering and Technology in 2022. This marks an advancement of eighty-three positions from its 2019 ranking. Furthermore, the university advanced 119 positions in the field of Natural Sciences, securing the 281st spot globally in this ranking compared to its position in 2019. The global QS World University Rankings for academic specializations are based on criteria of development and innovation within 1,300 universities worldwide, as well as their research efforts' impact on both local and international environments. Additionally, it takes into consideration the recognition by employers of academic efforts in educating and preparing students in a manner that aligns with the needs of the job market.

- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals ranked fourteenth globally on the list of universities that were granted patents in the United States.

- King Saud University achieved the forty-fifth position on the list of universities granted patents in the United States.

- Two Saudi universities have achieved advanced positions in the prestigious Times QS World University Rankings, with King Saud University ranking 247th among international universities and the top-ranked in the Arab world. Following is King Fahd University, which secured the 266th position and is the second-highest-ranked Arab university, according to the British Times QS World University Rankings.

- Three Saudi universities have entered the rankings among the best in the world.

- Education in the Kingdom has surpassed 107 countries in the average university rankings according to the QS ranking, achieving the twenty-fourth position. This indicator measures the average scores of the top three universities.

- The distinction of Saudi universities in ten major disciplines out of eleven, in which global universities are ranked.

- Saudi universities have achieved the forty-seventh global position in Physics

- Saudi universities have secured the fifty-sixth global position in Computer Science.

- Saudi universities have secured the fifty-seventh global position in Engineering.

Among the prominent achievements of education in the Kingdom, inspired by and aligned with Vision 2030, include:

- The launch of the 'Madrasati' platform for virtual education, in line with global standards, with over a billion visits.

- Linking the 'iEN' portal with the national education portal.

- The launch of the Virtual Kindergarten.

- Providing twenty-three educational satellite channels (iEN).

- The delivery of several initiatives aimed at generating revenue totaling SAR1 billion.

- The facilitation of private sector investment in educational facilities and private education, including the signing of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project for educational buildings.

- The increase in enrollment rates for kindergartens and primary schools, along with a higher percentage of assigning teaching of primary grades (boys) to female teachers.

- A higher rate of student participation in extracurricular activities

- Establishment of 104 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) centers.

- Establishment of new special education centers in five cities, opening seventy early intervention programs in government kindergartens, and six educational classrooms to serve male and female students with cancer.

- Increased private sector participation in private general education to 17.2 percent, along with attracting foreign companies to invest in international schools and classifying activities of private general education according to the global classification system.

- Launch of the National Program for Gifted Identification, the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, and an increase in the number of gifted classes to 998 for boys and girls, and the adoption of the acceleration system to move up the educational ladder to a higher grade, benefiting 812 male and female students.

- Implementation of educational building projects at a cost of approximately SAR9 billion, accommodating nearly 460,000 male and female students, in addition to disposing of rented buildings and finding urgent solutions to overcrowding in schools in major provinces and governorates.

- The introduction of six tracks in the external scholarship program, the adoption of a new scholarship regulation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program, and the localization of English language studies and qualification programs for scholarship recipients.

- The development of a unique research strategy and identity for each university, along with allocating SAR350 million for institutional funding.

- An increase of over 200 percent in the acceptance rate of secondary graduates from 2015 to 2020, and a 23.77 percent increase in the acceptance rate of post-secondary graduates into the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation programs in 2020. Furthermore, there was a rise in the number of trainees in training and qualification programs within the technical and vocational training sector, reaching a total of 943,314 trainees in 2020.

- Three Saudi universities (King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University) have been accredited to begin implementing the new university system.

- The development of social studies curricula, digital skills curricula, English language curricula, and Islamic studies curricula.

- The provision of approximately two hundred sports halls in government girls' schools as part of the 'enhancing sports participation for female students in schools' initiative.

- Establishing a partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority 'SDAIA' and the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity 'Mawhiba' for the 'AI Hour' initiative, which targets more than 1,300 public and private schools in various provinces.

- Training eight thousand kindergarten female teachers as part of the second phase of the qualification program for training in musical arts.

- Establishing a partnership with the Presidency of State Security in the field of intellectual security.

- The Ministry of Education approves the teaching of the 'Earth and Space Sciences' book within the school curriculum in the secondary school pathways system.

- The Ministry of Education signs six agreements for the training of Saudi doctors in the stages of fellowship and sub-specialization and providing sixty training seats in university hospitals in Italy.

- Reducing the illiteracy rate to 3.7 percent since the start of adult education programs in 1955, up to the present.

- Registering more than 163,000 male and female students in the National Volunteering Platform.