Education History in Saudi Arabia

The education system of Saudi Arabia has undergone tremendous change since Sept. 11, 2001, reforming many of its texts and teaching methods to better reflect a broader view of the world. Education opportunities for girls and women, particularly in rural areas, have increased steadily since the 1960s. Over the past five decades, Saudi students have been sent abroad for post-graduate work in Western universities.

Early Period

Few educational opportunities were available on the Arabian Peninsula in 1932 when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established as a nation.

Primary Education

A formalized primary education system was developed in the mid-1930s, with nearly 30,000 students attending more than 200 schools by 1951.

Religious Studies

Through 2001, Islamic studies made up more than half of the curricula, but its emphasis has been reduced to allow focus of other subjects.

Universities

Saudi Arabia's first university, the King Saud University, was opened in 1957 in the country's capital of Riyadh.

Abroad

More than 25,000 male and female Saudi students in 2009 were sent abroad on government scholarships in the United States, United Kingdom and other Western countries.

KAUST

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, or KAUST, was scheduled for completion in 2009 for Western and Arab students as well as faculty.

Resources

• More on Saudi Arabia education.