Education minister unveils new system, highlights major quality and scholarship achievements

The Education Minister of Saudi Arabia, Yousef Al-Benyan, unveiled a new public education system aimed at enhancing quality and supporting early childhood and gifted students. Speaking at a government press conference in Riyadh, Al-Benyan highlighted the system's focus on nurturing talent, improving the student experience, and professional development for teachers.

He emphasized the system's commitment to values such as tolerance and coexistence, and its support for the Arabic language. The new system includes measures to address disabilities, promote gifted students, and regulate e-learning. Al-Benyan stressed that investing in students and education quality is crucial for the nation's development.

He shared that early childhood enrollment has reached 35 percent, with a goal of 90 percent by 2030. The ministry is collaborating with both government and private sectors to develop kindergarten services in workplaces. The King’s Scholarship Program, which supports international education, has seen a significant increase in acceptance rates to top universities.

The education sector is also preparing for artificial intelligence advancements, with a national curriculum model based on religious values, identity, and skill development. The minister reported that 22 subjects have been developed, 50 AI teaching units prepared, and over 36 million books delivered. Teacher engagement initiatives, such as the Human Capability Development Initiative, have positively impacted student performance, with students winning numerous awards in international competitions.

The private and non-profit sectors play a vital role in supporting education, with 200 contracts for private school construction, 160,000 student seats, and expanded non-profit schools serving over 40,000 students. The Madaris and Madrasti platforms offer digital services and learning environments for millions of users. The Education Portal, a unified destination for all education services, is set to launch within the next six months.