The Ministry of Education (MoE) has approved English curricula for non-Arabic language and Islamic subjects in Saudi private schools that adopt accredited international education programs. To introduce the new education system, the schools must obtain preliminary approval from any reputable international authority that accredits international education programs. Besides, the program adopted must not contradict Islam and the values, policies and culture of the Kingdom, otherwise the school will be held responsible. The ministry has advanced strict regulations for the licensed private schools adopting new international education programs. Any school found in violation of the regulations could jeopardize its chances of keeping the program open. As the new education system is expected to face initial snags in implementation, the private schools will be given a deadline to overcome the problems. The new system applies only to Saudi private schools and not international schools for expatriates. Saudi private schools interested in introducing an accredited international education program are urged to observe the following regulations of the ministry: • Internationally accredited education programs must be adopted according to the mechanism specified by the ministry. • At least 50 percent of the curriculum must be allocated to Arabic language, Islamic culture, and social studies. • A written approval must be secured from the guardian to be admitted to the international program. • A trial period of three weeks from the start of classes must be given to students transferred from public schools to the new education system. The trial period is for the students to get accustomed to the new language medium and subjects. The students have the right to withdraw from the program and return to a public school. In such a case, the private school should form a committee that must explain the academic reasons for the return of a student to a public school. The committee must also make recommendations for exempted or credited courses for the student re-joining a public school, including new courses the student should take. Teaching may be in English or any other language if the international education program adopted requires so. The ministry has made it conditional on schools to appoint a qualified Saudi national who is fluent in the language of the program to work as its coordinator. Every education administration shall appoint an education supervisor fluent in English to look into and follow up the transactions and applications related to the program.
