RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Education and Training Evaluation Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, concluded the National Forum for School Excellence, also known as Excellence 2024, in Riyadh on Monday.
The forum, which celebrated over 290 schools for their achievements, highlighted Misk Schools as the first to receive accreditation under new national evaluation standards.
The event, which was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and commission chairman Khalid Al-Sabti, showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Participants included educational leaders, university deans, and company representatives, as well as principals and directors of schools from across Saudi Arabia.
At the forefront of the event was Misk Schools, which became the first institution in the country to receive accreditation from the commission.
Steffen Sommer, director general of the academic institute, told Arab News: “This accreditation reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff and students.
“We are proud to set a new standard for educational excellence and look forward to continuing our journey of growth and innovation.”
Nada Al-Hegali, girls’ school principal at Misk, spoke to Arab News about the challenges faced during the process, saying: “The challenge was relocating to a new campus amid the accreditation process.”
Al-Hegali went on to describe how the team provided invaluable support, and the students showed their resilience during the move.
The Excellence 2024 forum recognized schools based on results from external evaluations. Public, private, and international schools were all recognized for their contributions to raising educational standards.
The event also saw the signing of accreditation agreements between the commission, through its excellence center, and 18 schools, further cementing the importance of collaboration in driving the Kingdom’s educational reform.
Al-Benyan spoke of his optimism about the future of Saudi education, noting that the forum would serve as a catalyst for schools to embrace competition and excellence.
He added: “These recognitions are not just an acknowledgment of past achievements but a push for continued improvement in our education system.”
Al-Sabti echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the importance of external evaluation in fostering a culture of quality.
He added: “The Excellence 2024 forum provides a national platform to strengthen the principles of educational excellence, ensuring that Saudi schools continue to align with international standards.”
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward fulfilling Vision 2030, the recognition of over 290 schools not only highlights the progress made so far, but also sets the stage for future improvements.
Schools like Misk, with its focus on innovation, are paving the way for others to follow.
