Saudi minister says education going through a real and deep development

RIYADH — The Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh revealed that the ministry will launch, during the next two weeks, the Future Leaders Platform to prepare a generation of male and female teachers in the mission of educational leadership and future industry.

The Minister met here on Sunday a number of teachers from education departments across the Kingdom, to talk about the development of the curricula, education plans, the implementation of high school tracks, and the new trimester system that the Ministry will be introducing in the next academic year.

The Minister told teachers that we must work as a team to achieve the ambitions of the government leadership and improve the future of the sons and daughters of the nation, enabling us to compete globally.

The Minister stated that the Ministry is working to strengthen its partnerships with male and female teachers.

He also described distance education as one of the most important success stories implemented by teachers with their students via the virtual classes on the "Madrasati" platform.

As a result, the country has been able to record unprecedented achievements, as certified by international organizations.

Dr. Al-Sheikh added education has been going through a stage of real and deep development — not abstract development, and everyone is a partner in this evolvement.

This is supporting the achievement of the goals and aspirations of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for the education sector, the human capacity development program, and is meeting development requirements and future needs.

He explained that by analyzing the current situation of the educational system in the Kingdom over the past two years, it has become obvious that the challenges are significant from a number of aspects.

It includes the low results in international tests, the gap between the years of the educational ladder and actual years of study, and the fact that education plans for many years have remained without development.

The Minister explained that the three semesters system is a management tool and a means to fulfill a greater aim in improving curricula and education plans, adding new materials, and various applications and enrichments focusing on skills.

He stressed that the education development project is not isolated from the development and qualification of teachers, and the importance of professionalizing the teacher’s role.

Dr. Al-Sheikh said that the ministry has established units for intellectual awareness in every education department to enhance the values of loyalty to the leadership and belonging to the homeland and pride in its civilization, history and symbols, and to promote the values of moderation and tolerance.

He expressed his great thanks and appreciation to the leadership for its continuous support for education. He also praised teachers for their role and their sincere efforts and dedication in performing their mission.