Saudi Arabia revamps 22 subjects, adds 50 AI units to new academic year curriculum

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan said that 22 subjects have been updated and 50 educational units in artificial intelligence have been added to the curriculum for the new academic year. Addressing the government press conference in Riyadh on Monday ahead of the beginning of the new academic year, Al-Benyan said that the approval of the General Education Law enhances the quality of the educational environment, expressing his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for issuing a royal order approving the law. The minister officially launched the Education Portal as a unified platform bringing all educational services together in one place. He announced the acquisition of three international universities, two directly and one through a partnership with a local university. He also noted that more than 495,000 students participated in qualifying competitions, while more than 45,000 students enrolled in specialized schools to support gifted students. The minister emphasized that the General Education Law provides the necessary resources to achieve educational objectives, enhance the quality of the educational environment, and regulate the role of the private and non-profit sectors. He clarified that the law preserves religious values and national identity, highlights the Kingdom’s history and symbols, and affirms pride in the Arabic language. It also empowers students and places a strong focus on teacher development. He stated that the law provides the necessary resources for students with disabilities in schools, places particular emphasis on identifying and supporting gifted students, and underscores the pivotal role of the family. He noted that comprehensive strategies are in place to identify gifted students. Al-Benyan said that 4,000 teachers have been trained in identifying gifted students and that all schools in the Kingdom have been evaluated over the past three years to improve educational outcomes. He stated that the ministry is working with the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) to develop a supportive experience for teachers and reduce their operational and administrative burdens. He affirmed that the Council of Public Education Affairs is working in coordination with relevant entities to develop policies, programs, and regulations that support the implementation of educational strategies and the achievement of their objectives within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. The minister said that 70 percent of foreign scholarship recipients are studying at the top 50 universities globally, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to improve curricula. He added that enrollment in early childhood programs has increased to more than 35 percent, with a target of reaching 90 percent by 2030. Al-Benyan stated that the ministry has formed two advisory councils comprising school principals and teachers, which have contributed to developing a plan to identify the needs of schools and students. The ministry is also working with the private and public sectors on models to increase student enrollment in workplace kindergartens. The minister noted that 36 million copies of textbooks reached schools before the summer. The ministry had received more than 400 awards last year. He explained that the Madrasati platform contains more than 500 digital books, noting that all schools in the Kingdom were evaluated by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, the body responsible for quality assurance.Al-Benyan emphasized that teachers are a cornerstone of education, pointing out that the world’s best teacher for 2025 was a Saudi. He spoke about a comprehensive professional development training plan for teachers, describing it as one of the largest training programs in the education system. The minister said that the National Center for Curricula is working to develop a national curriculum model based on values, skills, and knowledge, covering all stages of education from early childhood to secondary school. He clarified that no teacher can teach a subject outside their area of specialization. He further noted that, starting this year, teachers can leave school at the end of the school day in accordance with the schedule approved for each school. The minister reviewed the identities of a number of Saudi universities in line with the aspirations of students and the needs of the labor market. He explained that King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa focuses on food security and sustainability, while Jeddah University specializes in transportation and supply chains. Umm Al-Qura University stands out in the fields of Hajj and Umrah and crowd management, while Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University focuses on Sharia sciences and the Arabic language. Al-Benyan affirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of Saudi universities and aligning their graduates with the labor market. He unveiled plans to develop a clear identity for each university through the “University Leadership” initiative. He also highlighted the allocation of 200 school buildings and plots of land to the private sector for investment, with a future capacity exceeding 160,000 students.