Royal Decree Approves General Education System

The royal decree has been issued with gracious approval of the General Education System, which aims to enhance the governance framework of public education, provide the necessary enablers to achieve its targets, and enable it to improve the quality of the educational environment and its outcomes, in addition to regulating the role of the private and non-profit sectors in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God preserve them – on the occasion of the approval of the system, emphasizing that this step represents important support for the development of public education in the Kingdom and enhances the efficiency of its regulatory and operational system.

The system enhances the governance of public education by defining the roles of the Ministry of Education, the Council of Public Education Affairs, and relevant authorities, supporting the alignment of educational policies, plans, and programs, raising decision-making efficiency, and enabling the ministry to develop tools for regulation, monitoring, and supervision of the public education sector. The system also contributes to supporting investment in education by regulating the participation of the private and non-profit sectors in providing educational services, and enhancing the attractiveness of investment and partnerships under clear controls to raise service quality, expand educational options, and ensure sustainable development of government and private educational institutions.

The system emphasizes the protection of human rights in education, the rights of students and teachers, and the provision of a safe and stimulating educational environment, supporting the quality of the educational process and improving the experience of male and female students, alongside reinforcing the role of the family in supporting the educational journey.

The system supports the quality of care and education in early childhood, in line with the importance of the early years in building a child's personality and skills. It also contributes to providing educational and support services more suited to the needs of students with disabilities within educational institutions, as well as supporting the care of gifted students and developing their abilities, enhancing the quality of the educational experience and accommodating the diverse needs of students.

The Ministry of Education, in the coming period, will work in coordination with relevant authorities to complete the executive and regulatory provisions, ensuring its application according to a clear methodology and supporting the achievement of the targets for developing public education and raising the efficiency of its outputs.

It is worth noting that the General Education System includes a number of provisions regulating educational stages, the Council of Public Education Affairs, educational institutions, educational tracks, e-learning, continuing education, the educational environment, and the rights of students and teachers.