وزارة التعليم

The Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (وزارة التعليم) is the principal government body responsible for the formulation and implementation of national education policy across pre-primary, primary, secondary, adult and higher education. Since its establishment, the Ministry has been central to modernizing and expanding educational access and quality throughout the Kingdom.

Historical Development

Founded in 1926 as the Directorate of Public Instruction, the Ministry underwent several reorganisations, merging with and separating from the Ministry of Higher Education until its unified reinstatement in 2015. This reorganisation reaffirmed its authority over the entire education system, aligning governance under a single umbrella to streamline strategic planning and oversight.

Mandate and Functions

The Ministry’s mandate includes policy design, strategic oversight, regulation, budgeting, teacher training, curriculum development and maintaining educational infrastructure. It oversees public schools, regulates private institutions and collaborates with other governmental agencies to implement Vision 2030 targets such as modernising curricula, advancing digital learning and improving overall educational outcomes.

Governance of Higher Education

Following the 2015 merger, the Ministry incorporated the responsibilities formerly held by the Ministry of Higher Education, assuming full authority for higher education policy, funding, administration of public universities and oversight of private colleges. Government and private higher education institutions are administered through its Higher Education Division, which is organised into two branches: Government Higher Education and Private Higher Education.

Quality Assurance and Accreditation

The Ministry operates in close coordination with the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC), an independent statutory body established in 2017 and responsible for setting accreditation standards and reviewing institutions and academic programs. The National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (NCAAA), a subsidiary of ETEC founded in 2004, administers institutional and program accreditation for higher education entities.

Institutional Accreditation

Under the guidance of NCAAA, higher education institutions must undergo a regulated accreditation process: initial licensing by the Ministry, provisional accreditation by NCAAA, followed by full accreditation after meeting quality standards through institutional self-studies and external peer reviews. Re-accreditation occurs every five years to ensure ongoing compliance.

Program Accreditation

Academic programs are evaluated based on standards that include mission clarity, governance, curriculum, faculty qualifications, student support and learning outcomes. Both local and international programs seeking accreditation in Saudi Arabia must meet national standards and participate in rigorous evaluation cycles overseen by NCAAA.

International Agreements and Recognition

ETEC achieved provisional signatory status to the Washington Accord and full signatory status to the Seoul Accord, enhancing international mobility and recognition of Saudi engineering and computing degrees. This reflects the Ministry’s broader aim to align Saudi educational qualifications with international standards.

Facilitating International Students

To bolster its global outreach, the Ministry has developed the "Study in Saudi" platform, launched in October 2022, providing admissions, visa support, scholarship details and academic program information to international students. This initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s ambitions to diversify and internationalise Saudi higher education.

Collaboration with Vocational and Technical Education

While the Ministry of Education oversees general academic education, technical and vocational programs have since 1980 been administered by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), operating under the Minister of Education. TVTC coordinates with the Ministry on qualifications, accreditation and workforce alignment.

Strategic Priorities in Higher Education

Under Vision 2030, the Ministry has prioritised: - Enhancement of research capability and innovation output - Expansion of digital and blended learning models - Increased internationalisation through partnerships and bilateral scholarships - Strengthening quality assurance and aligning curricula with labour market needs - Production of highly skilled graduates in STEM, health sciences, business and technical areas

Key Institutions and Initiatives

Major public universities—including King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)—operate under the Ministry. KAUST is noted for being fully coeducational, while most universities in the country practice gender segregation. Private sector institutions also receive accreditation through the Ministry and NCAAA.

Challenges and Ongoing Reforms

The technical accreditation system faces several challenges: - Upholding consistent quality across rapid institutional expansion - Enhancing the global competitiveness of Saudi universities - Strengthening quality assurance protocols, especially in private and international branches - Embedding employability and skills relevance into academic programs

Conclusion

The Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia is pivotal in driving national education strategy, managing both K–12 and tertiary education through integrated structures. Its collaboration with ETEC and NCAAA underscores a commitment to quality assurance through robust accreditation frameworks. Through international accords, digital platforms and strategic reforms, the Ministry continues to enhance the global stature and societal relevance of Saudi higher education—shaping a knowledge-based economy in line with Vision 2030’s goals.

Organization Name

وزارة التعليم

Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia

Acronym

MoE

Year of Establishment

1975

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

King Abdullah Road
Riyadh
Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Phone

+966 (1) 1475 3000

Fax

+966 (1) 441 9004

List of universities in Saudi Arabia recognized by the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia:

Albaha

• Al-Baha University - Albaha
• Al-Baha Private College of Science - Albaha

Alkhobar

• Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University - Alkhobar
• Saad College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences - Alkhobar

Almadinah

• Islamic University of Madinah - Almadinah
• Taibah University - Almadinah
• University of Prince Mugrin - Almadinah
• Al-Rayan College - Almadinah

Almajmaah

• Majmaah University - Almajmaah

Alqassem

• Qassim University - Alqassem
• Onaizah Colleges - Alqassem
• Sulaiman Al Rajhi University - Alqassem

Alahsa

• King Faisal University - Alahsa
• ALMOOSA COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE - Al-Ahsa Governorate

Arar

• Northen College of Nursing - Arar

Asser

• King Khalid University - Asser

Bisha

• University of Bisha - Bisha

Buraidah

• Mustaqbal University - Buraidah
• Buraydah College - Buraidah

Dahran

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals - Dahran

Dammam

• Al Asala Colleges - Dammam
• Mihammad Al Mana College for Medical Science - Dammam

Hail

• University of Ha'il - Hail

Hafr Albatin

• Gulf Colleges - Hafr Albatin
• University of Hafr Al Batin - Hafr Albatin

Jeddah

• King Abdulaziz University - Jeddah
• University of Jeddah - Jeddah
• University of Business and Technology - Jeddah
• Effat University - Jeddah
• Dar Al-Hekma University - Jeddah
• Ibn Sina National College - Jeddah
• Batterjee Medical College - Jeddah
• Al-Riyada College for Health Science - Jeddah
• Jeddah International College - Jeddah
• Fakeeh College for Medical Science - Jeddah
• Prince Sultan College of Business - Jeddah
• Vision Colleges in Jeddah - Jeddah

Jazan

• Jazan University - Jazan

Jubail Industrial City

• ALFAYHA COLLEGE - Eastern Province, Jubail Industrial City

Makkah

• Umm Al-Qura University - Makkah

Najran

• Najran University - Najran

Northern Border

• Northern Border University - Northern Border

Riyadh

• Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University - Riyadh
• King Saud University - Riyadh
• Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University - Riyadh
• King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences - Riyadh
• Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University - Riyadh
• Saudi Electronic University - Riyadh
• Arab Open University - Riyadh
• Prince Sultan University - Riyadh
• Alfaisal University - Riyadh
• Al Yamamah University - Riyadh
• Dar Al Uloom University - Riyadh
• Riyadh Elm University - Riyadh
• Al Maarefa University - Riyadh
• Arab East College - Riyadh
• Inaya Medical Colleges - Riyadh
• Al Ghad International College for Applied Medical Science - Riyadh
• Vision Colleges in Riyadh - Riyadh

Skaka

• Jouf University - Skaka

Tabuk

• University of Tabuk - Tabuk
• Fahad bin Sultan University - Tabuk

Thoual

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - Thoual

Abha

• Ibn Rushd College - Abha

Alkharj

• Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University - Alkharj

Altaif

• Taif University - Altaif

Shaqra

• Shaqra University - Shaqra

Official Social Media Channels

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Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia's Wikipedia page

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