Education in Saudi Arabia
| Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Education | Yousef Al-Benyan (since 2022) |
| National education budget | |
| Budget | $53.4 billion (200 Billion SAR) |
| General details | |
| Primary languages | Arabic |
| Literacy (2020) | |
| Total | 98% |
| Male | 99% |
| Female | 96% |
| Enrollment | |
| Total | 7.5 million |
| Primary | 3.8 million |
| Secondary | 1.8 million |
| Post secondary | 3.6 million |
| Attainment | |
| Post-secondary diploma | 71% (2008) |
Public education in Saudi Arabia—from primary education through college—is open to every Saudi citizen. Education is the second-largest sector of government spending in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia spends 8.8% of its gross domestic product on education, which is nearly double the global average of 4.6%. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country and therefore Islam is interwoven in every part of society, also in education. Islamic studies are part of the education system alongside scientific and social studies that vary from educational institution to another. Important goals of education in Saudi Arabia are to teach the students the economic, religious and social norms of the country. They also want to reduce the high illiteracy. The education system consists of 3 levels: primary education, intermediate education and secondary education.
In 1926 the Department of Education was established and in 1957 the first university. Before the King Saud University was founded, many Saudi Arabians went abroad to attend university. In 1955 the first school for girls was established.
Saudi Arabia has special institutions for students with severe disabilities and autism.