The revamped national curriculum in the Saudi public education system has rattled schools, with significant changes taking place over the past few years.
These reforms are the biggest in education since the establishment of modern Saudi Arabia. The changes have affected over five million students across the country.
The re-written national curriculum addresses the long-held criticism of Saudi public education for its rote nature of teaching. This has become obsolete in a more challenging era of economic and technological prosperity, proliferation of information and competitiveness.
Hussein Al-Oufi, co-author of the new Arabic language courses, told Arab News that it had taken five years of dedicated work before the Ministry of Education approved the revised Arabic curriculum now taught in elementary and intermediate schools.
“Teachers are no longer the only source of information for students,” he said. The old image of the teacher in the classroom has changed. The teacher’s new role is that of a facilitator of learning, as the students engage in a more collaborative learning environment with textbooks as just one tool for gaining knowledge, he said.
Major learning objectives for Arabic language lessons were simply packaged in a more language communicative approach balancing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, he said.
This was in a sharp contrast with the old Arabic language fragmented, skill-based curriculum that focused on memorization and repetition drills, which added a cognitive load to students, he said.
“The change allows students to acquire skills such as conception, practice, critical thinking, innovation and creativity, helping Saudi students to be more competitive with pupils abroad,” Al-Oufi added. The new education policy in the country has taken the "constructivism learning theory" as a base for modernizing education through discovery, practice, experience and collaboration.
Subject matters such as history and geography are also introduced in a more relevant and cohesive approach in one single textbook, and best of all, in a more appealing fashion, he added.
Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, a school principal, said it was a step in the right direction with a more balanced and integral curriculum that helps students connect the dots and make the connection of the knowledge acquired in each subject.
“It does not only meet the students’ needs, but also the requirements of the national development plans,” he said.
Al-Ghamdi added that the new curricular changes could provide learning skills that students need to acquire knowledge and search for information wherever it may be. They also reinforce Islamic and national values and principles, such as moderation, tolerance, loyalty to the homeland, and preserving its accomplishments, he said.
“Unless we take the initiative to develop our educational system, we would surely pay the cost,” said Ahmed Jarallah, a high school teacher. “We can consult curricula in developed countries, without compromising our Islamic identity,” he said.
Nawaf Khazmari, a high school student, said that he and his classmates were happy to see the curriculum delivered with interesting topics, art and illustrations that make it easier for students to digest. “They know we would love visual aids,” he said.
“Evening homework is more fun now with the new textbooks, but we would love the next step for the homework to be digital” said Ayman Jamal, another high school student.
The Ministry of Education has gradually, over the past three years, introduced a university-like system, converting high schools into mini-campuses. The new system follows a semester-based university system, including admission and graduation requirements, two specialization tracks of science and humanities, and a study plan of 200 required credit hours.
Mona Al-Ghamdi, a high school teacher of Islamic studies, said: “A good student can finish high school in less than three years.”
The proposed changes have sparked a push back, however. “Everything seems in order regarding curricula, but where are the educational aids that can help us make the classroom environment more interesting?” asked a high school teacher who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The government has allocated some SR9 billion for the Tatweer (development) project, which began in 2008. “We can’t yet feel that development in our working environment and classrooms,” he said. “With such a big sum of money, we thought our schools would be like castles in the sky,” he added.
“It seems that the Education Ministry is determined to make a real change, but this will not happen unless it provides the teachers with all educational aids they need, including the professional development of teachers,” he said.
Teachers are hopeful to see their students getting rid of their heavy backpacks with textbooks. “All the students needs can be downloaded on a laptop,” he said.
The Ministry of Education has earlier pledged support to make the new system work. With 786 high schools across the country thus far implementing the new system, the ministry will provide these schools with the necessary human, academic, financial, technological and technical resources, said Kahled Al-Sabti, deputy minister of education.
Saudi education catching up with world’s best
Saudi education catching up with world’s best
Saudi minister visits Kuwait to pass on Saudi leaders’ condolences after royal’s death
- Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud conveyed the messages of sympathy to Kuwait’s emir and the country’s prime minister
KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia’s interior minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud visited Kuwait on Wednesday to convey to the country’s emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the condolences of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the death last week of Sheikh Bader Nasser Al-Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Prince Abdulaziz also offered the Saudi leaders’ condolences to Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The officials who welcomed the minister included Kuwait’s deputy prime minister, the minister of defense and the minister of interior.
Sheikh Bader, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family, died on Sept. 10 at the age of 70.
Saudi Arabia and Italy share vision for future
- Lombardy president highlights similarities between Saudi Arabia and Italy
- Culture sector offers ‘highway of collaboration’ for countries, says Italian ambassador
RIYADH: Italy and Saudi Arabia share similar visions for the future, according to the president of the Lombardy region.
Attilio Fontana and his delegation expressed confidence in the potential for stronger cooperation during their visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
They aimed to explore new opportunities with Saudi officials and engage with Italian companies at the Interior Design and Furniture Exhibition in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“I believe that between Italy and Saudi Arabia, it’s possible to work very heavily together. And I think that we can engage,” Fontana told Arab News.
“The important thing … in Italy and in Saudi Arabia, is a view of the future, a vision of the future that is very similar. So, on this object, we can work together.”
Highlighting the significance of Italian participation at the exhibition in Riyadh, Fontana said: “You know, I believe that it’s very important for our entrepreneurs to know this merchant (Saudi Arabia) and to have the possibility to come here and to export because your country is very similar to our region.”
Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci also attended the exhibition.
“Italy is the second (largest) number of exposures in the firm, which means that there is a huge potentiality for stronger collaboration,” he said. “It looks very interesting and very promising; a lot of new companies are coming from Italy.”
“A big group of companies was also present last year in the past editions and the fact that Italians are increasing their numbers means it is very significant to us,” the ambassador said.
Baldocci underlined the importance of Fontana’s visit to Riyadh for Saudi-Italian cooperation: “It is very important; Lombardia is a model, a significant model also for Italy and Europe.
“We can establish strong collaboration in many fields, bilateral on both sides, so there would be advantages for the Italian side and Saudi side; it’s a win-win situation.”
Asked about sectors for growing partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Italy, he said: “I see many areas of technology, from high technology to fashion, design, automotive.
“On the cultural field, there is a highway of collaboration between Lombardia in Italy and Saudi Arabia, and in many other sectors too,” he said.
The president of Lombardia and the ambassador of Italy toured the exhibition areas and met Italian company representatives during the exhibition.
Among the more than 78 Italian companies present at the exhibition were Chairs and More, AMG, ArcaHorn, MIDJ, Vigano, Zanetto, and many others.
Discussing the many Italian companies showcased at the exhibition, Romano Baruzzi, director of the Riyadh office of the Italian Trade Agency, said: “All of the sectors are represented.”
Baruzzi said that while many Italian companies were already active in the Saudi market and had established local partnerships, several were still seeking to explore new avenues for growth in their collaborations.
“It’s a good opportunity if you consider that this is the fourth edition in terms of growth and the presence of companies; it’s a very big number,” he said.
Baruzzi said that some of the feedback he had received from Italian companies indicated that they were aware of the continuing expansion of Riyadh.
“I think we can offer very good opportunities for the Italian companies here,” he said.
Fontana, along with his delegation, will hold multiple sideline meetings with Saudi officials in culture, fashion, technology and innovation during the visit to the Kingdom.
The INDEX exhibition, focusing on interior design, takes place from Sept. 17-19 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition Center, welcoming local and international participants to showcase the latest innovations in design.
Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen rehabilitates 650 homes in Aden
- “Decent Housing” project contributes to building the capacity of workers in the housing, construction and building sectors
- The first of its kind in the housing sector in Yemen, the project aims to provide suitable living conditions for families
RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen’s “Decent Housing” project has benefited nearly 900 families by rehabilitating 650 housing units in Aden’s Al-Mualla and Khor Maksar districts.
A tripartite partnership between SDRPY, Alwaleed Philanthropies and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), the project has also contributed to building the capacity of workers in the housing, construction and building sectors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
A ceremony was held at SDRPY’s Riyadh-based headquarters to celebrate the conclusion of the project, which aims to improve the living conditions of families in Yemen’s Aden governorate.
Alwaleed Philanthropies’ Secretary-General Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud, Supervisor-General of the Program Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, and Minister of Public Works and Roads Salem Al-Abboudi attended the celebration.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Waed Badhib, UN-Habitat’s Chief of Staff Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Regional Representative Rania Headeya participated via video link.
The Decent Housing project, the first of its kind in the housing sector in Yemen, aims to provide suitable living conditions for Yemeni families. It also offers thousands of job opportunities and hundreds of training opportunities, deepening the impact of such projects that contribute to sustainable development.
SDRPY has implemented development projects and initiatives in essential and vital sectors, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, and the development and support of the Yemeni government’s capabilities, across 14 Yemeni governorates.
Environment Fund partners with ROSHN to drive sustainable building innovation
- ROSHN aims to develop more than 400,000 energy-efficient homes in pedestrianized communities
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Fund on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Public Investment Fund-owned developer ROSHN to stimulate investment and boost research into sustainable building practices.
The agreement focuses on exploring sustainability in building designs, improving building standards, and introducing incentives to encourage environmental development practices.
The memorandum of understanding also aims to build upon the relationship between both parties, working toward the common goal of achieving environmental sustainability.
Both ROSHN and the Environment Fund will work together to improve awareness about environmental issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Fawaz Al-Enezi, vice president of marketing and communications, signed on behalf of the Environmental Fund, while Wassim Khashan, executive general manager of marketing, signed for ROSHN Group.
Also on Wednesday, ROSHN signed another MoU with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, pledging to work together to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification.
The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the opening of the ROSHN Green Initiative Center in Riyadh.
The center will have a tree nursery that will produce greenery for ROSHN communities and surrounding areas.
The center will also have an educational hub that will be open to the public, offering interactive learning sessions for members of the public and organizations interested in supporting the Kingdom’s sustainability programs.
According to the company, ROSHN’s Green Initiative has so far produced more than 32,000 seedlings, 25,000 mangrove trees, and 4,300 other trees planted across the Kingdom.
More than 3,000 volunteers and 75 schools were enlisted to help achieve these results.
When fully operational, the center is set to be able to produce around 2,000 trees per year.
ROSHN is a major developer that was launched as part of Vision 2030, aiming to develop more than 400,000 energy-efficient homes in pedestrianized communities.
Tasked with developing a number of housing projects around the country, ROSHN espouses a particular focus on improving the quality of living for residents.
The Environment Fund was established in 2019 to provide financial support to environmental and meteorological initiatives.
KSrelief delivers 25 ambulances to Ukrainian Health Ministry
- Delivery is part of a larger commitment of 125 vehicles aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare system
- Ambulances were officially delivered to the Ukrainian authorities by the director of KSrelief’s health and environmental aid department Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, has supplied 25 ambulances to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.
The delivery is part of a larger commitment of 125 vehicles aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare system. They will be handed over in Poland ready to travel over the border.
The ambulances were officially delivered to the Ukrainian authorities by the director of KSrelief’s health and environmental aid department, Dr. Abdullah Al-Muallem. Also present was Mohammed Rashid Al-Hadithi, the Kingdom’s deputy ambassador to Poland.
The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts. Medical and shelter supplies, along with electrical devices and generators, were also delivered by 21 aircraft.
In addition, the Kingdom has pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This includes $100 million from KSrelief and $300 million in oil derivatives financing, offered as a grant.
KSrelief has also signed two agreements with the World Health Organization and the UN Refugee Agency to provide $10 million in medical and shelter aid to Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries, particularly Poland.
