Saudi Education Minister unveils new general education system

Saudi Education Minister Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan has detailed a new general education system designed to transform governance, improve learning environments, and regulate the roles of the private and non-profit sectors. Speaking at a government press conference in Riyadh, Al-Benyan emphasized that the reforms aim to enhance the student experience, support teachers, and strengthen family trust while preserving national values and identity.

Key strategic goals include increasing early childhood education enrollment from 35% to 90% by 2030. The Minister also highlighted the success of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, noting that 26,000 students were studying abroad in 2026, with a 70% acceptance rate into the world's top 50 institutions for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The ministry is heavily integrating digital transformation, specifically through the ‘AI Sandbox’ initiative for digital education, which has received recognition from the World Bank. Efforts include developing AI-related curricula and utilizing artificial intelligence as an assistant for teachers. Additionally, the system will focus on supporting students with disabilities, nurturing gifted individuals, and implementing a national curriculum model based on religious values, national identity, and critical thinking skills.