- ADMINISTRATION
AND FINANCE
- Education in Saudi Arabia is under the
administration of four main authorities: the Ministry of Education;
the Presidency General for Girls’ Education; the Ministry of Higher
Education; and the General Organization for Technical Education and
Vocational Training. In addition, other government ministries have
authority over certain types of educational institutions.
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- The Ministry of Education is in charge of general
education (for males only), teacher training, special education and
adult education and literacy.
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- The Presidency General for Girls’ Education is
in charge of general education (for females), teacher training,
colleges of education, adult education and literacy, vocational
education and training.
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- The Ministry of Higher Education supervises
university education and the General Organization for Technical
Education and Vocational Training is responsible for developing
technical and vocational programmes in response to national manpower
requirements.
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- The Educational Policy in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia provides that education of all types and at all levels shall be
free. Education is
financed through the state budget.
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- Approximately 4,200,000 students of both genders
are enrolled in educational institutions at all levels.
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- Children enter elementary education at age six
and continue for six years. Schools are not co-educational.
Upon completion of grade VI students sit for and examination
and if successful are awarded the Elementary Education Certificate,
which qualifies them for intermediate school.
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- Intermediate studies last three years and
secondary studies a further three years. Both general and specialized
studies are offered at the secondary level.
Students who successfully complete secondary education may
continue their studies at universities or other postsecondary
institutions. University studies last four years for programmes in the
humanities and social sciences and five to six years in medicine,
engineering, and pharmacy.
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- PRIVATE
AND PUBLIC EDUCATION
- Private education is officially encouraged in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Private
institutions exist at all levels and receive governmental funding and
administrative support. Licenses for opening private institutions are
granted only to Saudi citizens, and private schools have no right to
grant degrees at any stage of education. However, state supervision of
private schools ensures a level equal to that of governmental schools.
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- The academic year begins in September and ends in
June.
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- A four-year university degree is required of
every individual wishing to teach in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Exceptions to this are kindergarten teachers who are trained in
three-year secondary-level training programmes and girls’ school
elementary teachers who complete four-year post-secondary programmes
at intermediate education colleges in order to teach.
