RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Curriculum Center has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of educational content for the upcoming academic year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The update introduces new subjects including Artificial Intelligence; Cybersecurity; Tourism and Hospitality; Fashion, Art and Design’ and First Aid — a “strategic modernization effort aligning with Saudi Vision 2030,” according to the SPA.
The new curricula were developed through partnerships with key ministries and authorities, and “prioritize critical thinking and technical competencies while integrating innovative teaching methods.”
The framework extends learning beyond classrooms into daily school activities including assemblies and national celebrations, “creating a holistic educational ecosystem,” the SPA wrote.
Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, CEO of the NCC, told the SPA that these changes represent a fundamental shift.
He said: “The curriculum is no longer confined to textbooks, but encompasses all student experiences, positioning books as just one tool within a broader educational environment.”
The AI curriculum for secondary electives, developed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies along with the Saudi Data and AI Authority, “employs self-learning to build digital-era skills.”
The Cybersecurity elective — created with the National Cybersecurity Authority — trains students in digital protection for themselves and their devices.
Tourism studies, developed with the Ministry of Tourism, now teach sustainable tourism principles and event management.
For female secondary students, the Fashion Art and Design elective covers global design fundamentals while developing practical marketing and supplier-engagement skills.
A new First Aid curriculum developed with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority prepares students to handle medical emergencies including burns and cardiac events.
Chinese instruction will expand to the second intermediate grade after last year’s rollout, with more than 70 private schools joining the program, which will expand in phases through to 2029.
English courses for grades five and six now feature interactive stories to develop language skills alongside critical thinking.
New teaching guides include a structured Qur’anic studies manual compatible with the Madrasati platform and a Nursery Stage guide promoting play-based learning. The latter includes family engagement manuals, recognizing parents as active partners in early education.
Student activities now formally integrate citizenship programs, science competitions (including AI challenges), sports, and cultural arts such as heritage design during non-instructional time.
The NCC will continue to set up private-sector collaborations to “license international content and ensure timely textbook distribution,” the SPA added.
