School education in Saudi Arabia

Overview

School education in Saudi Arabia is supervised by the Ministry of Education and runs from kindergarten through to the end of secondary schooling.

Stages

Kindergarten covers ages three to five. Primary schooling lasts six years, from about age six to twelve. Intermediate schooling lasts three years, and secondary schooling a further three.

The secondary pathways

The secondary stage was reorganised around a pathways system, in which students choose a track aligned with their interests and with higher education and labour market requirements. The tracks include general, health, engineering and computing, business, and sharia.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes Arabic language, Islamic studies, mathematics, science, social studies and English, with increasing specialisation in the secondary stage. Digital skills and vocational subjects have been strengthened.

Assessment

Students are assessed through continuous evaluation and central examinations. Completion of secondary schooling leads to the general secondary certificate, which governs admission to higher education.