A city’s education sector is a cornerstore of its economic prosperity, fostering intellectual curiosity and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow.
With ambitious economic targets and a vision to serve as a global innovation hub, Riyadh has crafted an education sector strategy that underscores its committment towards becoming a premier center for learning and excellence across all education levels.
The strategy is guided by a clear vision to build an education sector that is effective, sustainable, and accessible, aligned with the evolving demands of the labor market. This vision will be realized through public-private investments, targeted capacity-building, and the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure. With the commitment of multiple stakeholders, the strategy seeks to create an education ecosystem that has a significant impact on enhancing Riyadh’s livability and attracting families and talent from the region and beyond.
Substantively, the education sector strategy consists of a range of broad-based reforms and related strategic initiatives, several of which have already achieved success. Major reforms span the Pre-K-12, higher education, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) levels. All reforms across these levels adopt a two-pronged approach: addressing existing inefficiencies and deficiencies while simultaneously future-proofing the system to ensure it remains proactive to evolving educational and workforce needs.
At the Pre-K-12 level, the strategy prioritizes elevating quality standards through increased private sector participation, with a focus on enhancing accessibility for disadvantaged populations. Significant progress has already been made through the International Schools Attraction Initiative, spearheaded by HRH. Since 2021, 12 international schools have opened in Riyadh, including seven from the UK and five from Singapore and Spain.
In 2024, Ellesmere College and Buckswood School will also begin operations in Riyadh through joint ventures, with the RCRC facilitating key processes such as licensing and identifying investment opportunities.
For higher education, the historic King Saud University is poised for a transformative shift, aiming to secure a place among the top 10 global universities. The strategy also seeks to increase international enrollment to 15% of the total student body, driven by enhanced research capabilities and the presence of international universities and faculty. A key milestone toward this goal is Arizona State University’s plan to establish a new university and affiliated school in Riyadh.
Riyadh’s education strategy exemplifies its commitment to leveraging education as a catalyst for positive change. More than just a path to individual success, education is the foundation for economic resilience, societal progress, and Riyadh's long-term growth as a global hub for talent and innovation.
A city’s education sector is a cornerstore of its economic prosperity, fostering intellectual curiosity and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. With ambitious economic targets and a vision to serve as a global innovation hub, Riyadh has crafted an education sector strategy that underscores its committment towards becoming a premier center for learning and excellence across all education levels.