Big Change: Saudi Arabia introduces new subjects to education system

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced some unprecedented changes to its education system as it has introduced new subjects that will be taught for the first time starting the upcoming education year, local media reported.

Digital skills, English for elementary grades, social studies, self-defense and critical thinking have been the new subjects that will be taught starting next year, the Saudi local media reported.

According to the new policies rolling out the changes, the two-semester school system will now be converted into three with short vacations, in order to keep pace with international best practices.

The Saudi Minister of Education Dr Hamad Al Sheikh said the transformation is to include the development of curricula and educational plan rollout.

“Over two years of continuous work in the Ministry of Education, and based on careful studies carried out by specialized teams, a major conclusion was reached that the current education system needed a real and deep reform,” Al Sheikh said.

He added, “Comparisons with developed countries have also shown a gap with regards to the number of actual school days.”

Long weekends

The education minister further added the academic school semester would extend over 13 weeks with seven-day breaks. The year will also include 12 holidays, incorporating long weekends and an increased number of school days.

The academic year will start on August 30 and end on July 1 next year.

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The Minister of Education described the development process as “necessary” to complete the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, to reach global competitiveness in various fields, and to keep pace with best practices.

He urged the education workers to receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine jab before the August 1 deadline in order to ensure the health and safety of staff and students in the classroom.

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