Saudi Arabia is rolling out major education reforms for the new academic year, with changes covering teacher working hours, promotions, professional training and the use of artificial intelligence.
- Saudi Arabia to introduce flexible working hours for teachers
- Teachers barred from teaching outside their specialisation
- More than 37,000 education staff set for promotions
- 240,000 teachers to receive professional training
- Saudi schools to expand use of AI
- Early childhood education target set at 90% by 2030
- 36 million textbooks delivered ahead of school year
- Saudi Arabia expands focus on gifted students
- Education reforms support Saudi Vision 2030
The reforms aim to improve education quality while reducing administrative pressure on teachers and strengthening career development across the education sector.
Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan announced the measures at Princess Nourah University in Riyadh on August 17.
“The teacher is a fundamental pillar in education,” Al-Benyan said.
Saudi Arabia to introduce flexible working hours for teachers
One of the key changes will affect how schools manage teacher working hours.
The Ministry of Education will revise the Hudoori smart attendance system. Under the new approach, teachers’ working hours will depend on each school’s timetable and operational needs.
As a result, teachers will not follow one fixed start and end time across all schools.
Instead, they can leave once they complete their scheduled duties. These duties include teaching, grading and school supervision.
The move could give schools more flexibility while helping teachers manage their workloads more effectively.
Teachers barred from teaching outside their specialisation
The ministry will also enforce stricter rules on teacher specialisations.
Teachers will not be allowed to teach subjects outside their area of expertise.
The ministry said the measure will protect students’ right to receive quality education from qualified teachers.
The reform comes as Saudi Arabia continues to focus on improving learning outcomes under Saudi Vision 2030.
More than 37,000 education staff set for promotions
Career progression will also form a major part of the reforms. The Ministry of Education plans to promote more than 37,000 employees next month. This includes more than 28,000 educational staff and 9,500 administrative employees.
The move will strengthen professional development opportunities across Saudi Arabia’s education system.
240,000 teachers to receive professional training
The ministry also plans to expand teacher training. More than 240,000 teachers will receive training through professional development initiatives under the Human Capability Development Program.
So far, around 60,000 teachers from this group have completed training. The programme aims to support the professional development of education staff across different stages of the school system.
Saudi schools to expand use of AI
Artificial intelligence will also play a bigger role in Saudi Arabia’s education sector.
The ministry is testing AI tools designed to reduce administrative and operational workloads for teachers and students.
The initiative involves partnerships with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Saudi AI company Humain.
Al-Benyan said AI should help teachers spend more time supporting students.
“Artificial intelligence will assist teachers, allowing them to focus on their role and follow up on students’ needs,” he said.
The initiative comes as Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the Kingdom’s wider push to expand AI adoption.
Early childhood education target set at 90% by 2030
Saudi Arabia also wants to significantly increase participation in early childhood education.
The ministry aims to raise the enrolment rate from 35% to 90% by the end of 2030.
The target forms part of broader efforts to improve education quality from the early stages of learning.
36 million textbooks delivered ahead of school year
The ministry has also made changes to textbook distribution.
More than 36 million textbooks reached schools before the summer break this year.
The ministry said textbooks previously reached schools around two weeks before the start of the academic year.
This year, however, improved supply chains and cooperation with Tatweer helped deliver the books earlier.
Around 60,000 books were also delivered directly to students’ homes through Saudi postal service SPL.
Saudi Arabia expands focus on gifted students
The reforms also include measures to support high-performing students.
More than 4,000 teachers have been trained to identify gifted students.
Meanwhile, more than 45,000 students have enrolled in specialised schools for gifted learners.
The ministry also reported that Saudi teachers received 72 local and international awards last year.
Students, meanwhile, won more than 400 local and international awards.
Around 70% of Saudi scholarship students were also accepted into the world’s top 50 universities, according to the ministry.
Education reforms support Saudi Vision 2030
The latest measures form part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to build a more skilled and competitive workforce.
By combining teacher development, flexible working arrangements, AI adoption and stronger academic standards, the reforms seek to improve both employee experience and student outcomes.
For employers and HR professionals, the changes also highlight the growing focus on workforce development, digital transformation and talent management within Saudi Arabia’s public sector.
