Saudi Ministry of Education issues directive for national dress for secondary school students

he policy comes in line with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
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Updated 01 February 2025
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Saudi Ministry of Education issues directive for national dress for secondary school students

  • Policy does not apply to students enrolled at foreign schools

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Education announced on Friday a new policy requiring secondary school students in public and private institutions to adhere to the national dress code.

The policy comes in line with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The decision, which aims to reinforce national identity and instill pride in Saudi heritage, mandates that Saudi students wear the traditional thobe along with a ghutra or shemagh, while non-Saudi students are required to wear the thobe, SPA added.

The policy does not apply to students enrolled at foreign schools.

The move reflects the crown prince’s commitment to strengthening the connection between younger generations and Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, SPA reported.

The ministry also emphasized that the initiative aligned with national efforts to instill values, deepen students’ sense of belonging and reinforce their loyalty to the country’s leadership.

National dress is a key element of identity and reflects the rich traditions of Saudi society and is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage while preparing future generations for leadership and progress, the ministry said.

To ensure a smooth transition, the ministry has planned awareness campaigns and educational programs for students and parents to highlight the significance of the national dress in fostering cultural pride and maintaining a unified national image within the school environment.


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.