Riyadh, January 4, 2025 – A major milestone in Saudi Arabia's educational reform has been achieved with the recognition of 292 schools across the Kingdom, marking a transformative shift in the nation’s efforts to elevate the quality of education. This achievement is part of a broader initiative under the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation, a key component of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC)’s strategy to enhance the performance of public, private, and international educational institutions. The program is designed to align with Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, which aims to reshape the country’s educational landscape and position it as a global leader in education and training.
The program’s main objective is to assess and improve the quality of education across all schools in the Kingdom, focusing on fostering a high-impact Saudi model of educational excellence. Through rigorous evaluation and classification, the initiative aims to contribute significantly to the Kingdom's national development and economic growth, by creating a robust educational foundation that supports innovation, critical thinking, and skill development. By continuously enhancing school performance, the program also strives to raise the quality of teaching and learning in line with the global standards expected in the 21st century.
As part of this landmark initiative, the National Register of School Excellence was recently launched, reflecting the extraordinary journey of transformation undertaken by ETEC in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This register highlights the remarkable progress made by over 24,000 schools across the Kingdom, with external assessments conducted in nearly 19,000 schools, representing approximately 78% of the nation’s educational institutions. This extensive evaluation process involved over 10 million students, teachers, and parents, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the educational environment at every level.
The assessment utilized a range of evaluation tools, including national tests designed to measure the educational performance of more than 1.5 million students. In total, over 1.7 billion data points were collected, providing an unprecedented level of insight into the state of education in Saudi Arabia. This vast repository of data has already begun to shape a culture of quality, measurement, and competitiveness in schools, with a clear focus on scorecards and performance benchmarks that drive improvement.
The National Register of School Excellence is not just a record of achievement but also a reflection of the vision and commitment of ETEC in transforming the educational system. It underscores the key pillars of the National Program for School Evaluation, including school evaluation, classification, and accreditation, with the ultimate goal of ensuring long-term sustainability and continuous improvement in school performance. The initiative serves as a catalyst for raising the quality of general education, recognizing exceptional schools as role models, and celebrating the accomplishments of pioneering institutions in school excellence.
Furthermore, the register showcases the journeys of these pioneering schools, telling the inspiring stories of those that have made significant strides in improving educational outcomes. These schools are highlighted as examples of excellence, demonstrating how innovation, dedication, and commitment to quality education can result in outstanding achievements. By recognizing their efforts, the initiative not only celebrates success but also motivates other institutions to pursue similar paths of excellence.
This comprehensive evaluation process, along with the National Register of School Excellence, represents a major step forward in Saudi Arabia's educational reform agenda. It aligns with the broader goals of Vision 2030, which envisions a robust, dynamic, and globally competitive education system that prepares students for the challenges of the future. Through these efforts, Saudi Arabia is creating a blueprint for educational success that will benefit generations to come, ensuring that every student has access to the highest standards of education and is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.