The general education system in the Kingdom entered a new phase of regulation after its details were published in the official gazette, including fundamental changes affecting students, teachers, schools, and public and private educational institutions. The system will come into effect 180 days after its publication date.

The system clarified that general education is compulsory from the age of six to fifteen, is a right for all, and is provided free in public schools. It also stipulated legal measures against anyone who causes a child to be deprived of education or to drop out during the compulsory education years.

Most prominent changes in the new system

1- Education is compulsory from age six to fifteen.

2- General education is a right for all, provided free in public schools.

3- Legal measures against anyone who causes a child to be deprived of education or to drop out during compulsory education years.

4- Arabic is adopted as the main language of instruction, with the possibility of teaching in an additional language subject to regulations.

5- Continued separation of girls' schools from boys' schools after early childhood, with exceptions regulated by laws.

6- Establishment of a new Council for General Education Affairs chaired by the Minister of Education, responsible for setting policies and approving regulations for the sector.

7- Creation of vocational and specialized educational pathways aligned with labor market needs.

8- Allowing the establishment of specialized schools, classes, and pathways in fields such as programming, science, mathematics, arts, and the Holy Quran.

9- Setting regulations to accelerate the transition of gifted students to higher educational levels.

10- Launching programs for early detection of growth or behavioral disorders in students.

11- Enhancing the integration of students with disabilities in schools, providing assistive technologies.

12- Providing digital and distance learning programs for students with disabilities who cannot be integrated.

13- Establishing specialized programs, schools, and centers for gifted students.

14- Considering in-person education as the foundation at all stages, while utilizing e-learning according to regulations.

15- Mandating private schools to obtain school accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission or an accredited international body.

16- Regulating tuition fee adjustments in private schools according to criteria approved by the competent authorities.

17- Prohibiting assigning students any work resulting from individual efforts of teachers or administration if it violates the system and regulations.

18- Guaranteeing student rights, including hearing their complaints, protecting them from abuse, providing primary health care, and handing over the success certificate without any conditions.

19- Allowing assignment of some teachers to teach courses outside their specializations subject to regulations, qualifications, and financial incentives determined by the council.

20- Terminating the service of a teacher or administrator who commits a gross violation of public order or national unity, and preventing them from returning to work in the education field in both public and private sectors.

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