Education & Training

Saudi Arabia’s education system is undergoing significant transformation under Vision 2030, aiming to close the skills gap and support economic diversification. Reforms focus on expanding private education, promoting international schools and increasing enrolment in technical and vocational education. The Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation oversee the system, with efforts toward decentralisation to improve school performance. Vision 2030 prioritises aligning education with market needs, enhancing teacher training and expanding vocational opportunities. In 2023 the Kingdom allocated $50bn, or 17% of GDP, to education, making it the largest education budget in the Gulf. These reforms aim to foster innovation and equip students with skills for the evolving job market. This chapter also contains an interview with Yousef bin Abdullah Al Benyan, Minister of Education; and Einas Suleiman Al Eisa, President, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Learning landscape: Regulatory adjustments and technological innovation are guiding national curriculum development efforts
OBG
plus

Saudi Arabia’s education system has undergone a significant restructuring in recent years, driven by the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for socio-economic transformation. The government has introduced a wide range of reforms aimed at closing the skills gap and spurring economic diversification rooted in a knowledge-based economy. Private education enrolment levels are expected to increase following policy changes aimed at encouraging more international schools to open branches…

Interview

Targeted evolution: Yousef bin Abdullah Al Benyan, Minister of Education, on meeting national goals and global needs through sector transformation
OBG
plus

Interview: Yousef bin Abdullah Al Benyan, Minister of Education How is the education sector evolving to align with the goals of Vision 2030? YOUSEF BIN ABDULLAH AL BENYAN: Aligning with Vision 2030, changes to the Ministry of Education (MoE) governance structure led to the creation of the National Curriculum Centre, the National Institute for Educational Professional Development and the empowerment of the Council of Universities’ Affairs. Policy reforms aim to chart a pathway from early childhood…

Interview

Employment benefits: Einas Suleiman Al Eisa, President, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, on strengthening the capabilities of the Kingdom’s female labour market for economic development
OBG
plus

Interview: Einas Suleiman Al Eisa, President, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University In what ways is higher education for women contributing to the Kingdom’s long-term economic goals? EINAS SULEIMAN AL EISA: The advancement of women in higher education in Saudi Arabia aligns closely with the Kingdom’s long-term economic and workforce diversification goals, including enhancing gender equality. Substantial investment in women’s education prior to the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s…

Analysis

Fostering talent: An expanding workforce and vocational training programmes are helping to support economic diversification objectives
OBG
plus

The education sector is undergoing a transformation to improve the workforce readiness of the Kingdom’s graduates. In order to reduce dependence on oil and gas revenues, the government is targeting an ambitious economic diversification agenda, which involves the expansion of the private sector. Previously, the public sector provided local graduates with the bulk of employment opportunities. In recent years, however, the government has introduced a range of education and labour policies aimed at…