Saudi Education Explosion!

The Saudi National curriculum has been crying out for big change...and finally it has arrived!

The reforms are the biggest in education since the establishment of Saudi Arabia. The changes have already affected over 5 million students across the country.

Saudi public education has been the subject of ridicule and criticism for many years due to its repetitive and routine methods of teaching. The modern Arabic curriculum was five years of dedication and persistence until it was finally approved by The Ministry of Education.

Students are to experience a more collaborate learning environment, as text book as just one tool for gaining knowledge. It is hard for me to imagine a child going through High School without even a text book as an aid.

‘The change allows students to acquire skills such as conception, practice, critical thinking, innovation and creativity, helping Saudi students to be more competitive with pupils abroad. The new education policy in the country has taken the constructivism learning theory as a base for modernizing education through discovery, practice, experience and collaboration’

Hussein Al-Oufi, co-author of the new Arabic language courses

“Unless we take the initiative to develop our educational system, we would surely pay the cost,” said Ahmed Jarallah, a high school teacher. “We can consult curricula in developed countries, without compromising our Islamic identity,” said Ahmed Jarallah, a high school teacher.

I think this is a fantastic point, we have to keep up with modern times, practices and technology otherwise you can run the risk of isolation. The advancements in the education system can only improve the future of Saudi Arabia’s economy, business practices and help to fuel more creative technological advancements.

The Ministry of Education has, over the past three years, introduced high school mini-campuses. The new system follows a semester-based university system, including admission and graduation requirements, two specialization tracks of science and humanities, and a study plan of 200 required credit hours. The environment will mentally and physically preparing the students for higher education, making going to college or university a more natural and fluid progression.

There are 786 high schools across the country implementing the new system, The Ministry of Education is providing the schools with the necessary human, academic, financial, technological and technical resources, said Kahled Al-Sabti, deputy minister of education.

The schools are still crying out for educational aids…so if you are able to lend a hand in any way…please do.

Upon the launch of Bearla International Studies’ new website we will be donating a proportion of our profits to a project such as above or a scholarship program for students to win. If you have any other ideas, please post them below.

Amber Williams

Bearla International Studies, Director