The idea of sending the kids to school abroad is one of the most stressful things that can happen to a family moving abroad. Children already struggle with moving, let alone learning a new language. They may also be afraid of fitting in or making friends.
Families who are moving should prioritise making every effort to enrol their children in appropriate language training programmes. Since language lessons are frequently included in relocation packages, it would be wise to check. It is common for companies to offer family and spouse support programmes when examining relocation benefits. There are many relocation companies in Riyadh that will help you out in finding the top schooling for your children.
Preschool Education
There are many kindergartens and preschools (for kids aged three to five) and public, private, and international nurseries (for kids aged zero to three). These are not, however, required everywhere in the Kingdom. The primary goal of this education is to help students acquire the skills they need to succeed in primary school, as well as social and collaborative abilities and sensory development.
Remember that Islamic education is part of the curriculum in public and some private schools, which is taught exclusively in Arabic. Moreover, there is no gender segregation in the classroom and all of the instructors are women. When considering enrolling their children in an international preschool, foreign nationals should be aware that annual fees can vary from SAR 10,000 to SAR 65,000.
Primary Education
Primary school in Saudi Arabia is run by the Ministry of Education at the national level and is open to students aged six to twelve. It is a legal requirement for all students in the Kingdom to attend primary school for the full six years. None of the higher education levels are required, though.
Saudi nationals and some foreigners have universal access to free public primary education. And while every school is different, rote memorization and repetition are frequently used. Arabic is the medium of instruction, with a strong focus on Islamic studies.
These facts discourage many foreigners from enrolling their kids in public schools, along with grievances regarding disarray and the challenge of transferring credits to their native educational system. Relocation companies in Jeddah will help out in finding the ideal education systems.
Secondary Education
The secondary school system in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, secondary school might mean different things depending on the institution. The Saudi education system divides students into intermediate (ages 13–16) and secondary (ages 17–19) phases after primary school. Meanwhile, some foreign schools offer secondary school, which they refer to as high school, to students who are between the ages of 14 and 17. In the Kingdom, attending secondary or intermediate school is not required, though it is strongly advised.
Public Secondary Schools
Saudi citizens are entitled to free public secondary and intermediate education, though the quality varies by school. In addition to maths and science, students also study literature, history, Arabic, and Islamic studies. In secondary school, English is now a required subject. After completing intermediate school, students can choose to enrol in secondary schools that specialise in certain subjects, such as the arts, sciences, commerce, or a particular career.
Private Secondary Schools
The Kingdom is full of private educational institutions. While some of these adhere to international certifications, like the International Baccalaureate programme, others follow the Saudi national educational curriculum. International schools typically adhere to the educational standards of a specific country, like a French international school, or a specific educational model, like the British GCSE.
Your best option as an expat in Saudi Arabia is most likely to enroll your child in an international school, so be sure to give it some thought and decide on the curriculum your child should follow. Make sure their education has the required accreditation by taking into account whether and where they intend to continue their education.
Universities
There are currently approximately 1 million students enrolled in Saudi universities and colleges, a significant increase from the 7,000 that attended in 1970. More than half of them are women. All of the major universities, as well as many private women’s universities and all-female colleges, are attended by women.
Additionally, Saudi students can study abroad for specialised graduate and postgraduate degrees. Thousands of Saudi students enrol in universities outside of the Kingdom with the help of government scholarships.
King Saud University in Riyadh is the oldest university in the nation. There were just nine teachers and twenty-one students when it first opened in 1957. The faculties of art, science, commerce, engineering, agriculture, medicine, dentistry, nursing, education, computer science, and information science currently enrol 65,000 students seeking degrees. The university is well-known for its engineering and medical schools and offers doctorate programmes in a variety of subjects.
With more than 70,000 students, King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah is the biggest university in the Kingdom. Privately, a group of Saudi businessmen who were ardent supporters of education’s role in the advancement of the country founded it in 1967. The university expanded so quickly that its founders asked the government to take over management of it in 1971.
HelpXpat: Finding the Right Schooling for Your Child
At HelpXpat, we recognise that selecting the ideal school involves more than just academics; it also entails providing a supportive and stimulating atmosphere where your child can flourish. Our relocation services Saudi Arabia are made to meet the specific needs of your family and assist you in making decisions that will best support the development and happiness of your child.
As the top relocation companies in Riyadh we understand that finding the right school for your children is a top priority during this transition. That’s why our relocation company is proud to offer a comprehensive School Search Service, designed to alleviate the stress of finding the perfect educational fit for your kids.