The establishment of the Directorate of Knowledge in 1344 Hijri (1925) marked the launch of the first Educational System in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and was the cornerstone of the Boys' Educational System in the Country. A decision was made in 1346 Hijri (1927) to establish the first Council for Knowledge with an aim to develop an Educational System that would monitor Education in the Hijaz Region. The powers of the Directorate of Knowledge expanded upon the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its function was no more restricted to the monitoring of Education in the Hijaz Region. It; however, monitored the different educational affairs in the entire KSA. Initially, the Directorate started with four schools, and the number of schools then increased to 323.
In 1371 Hijri (1951), the Ministry of Knowledge, was established in the Reign of King Saud Bin AbdulAziz Al-Saud. It was the expanded, and developed form of the Directorate of Knowledge. Its functions were to Plan, and Monitor Boys' Government Education in Primary, Preparatory, and Secondary schools. King Fahd Bin AbdulAziz Al-Saud was the first Minister of Knowledge.
The General Presidency for Girls’ Education, was established in 1380 Hijri (1960), in the Reign of King Faisal Bin AbdulAziz Al-Saud, with a Budget of $4.4 Million. The Presidency was responsible for 15 primary schools and one female teachers’ intermediate institute. It was chaired by Sheikh AbdulAziz Nasser Al-Rashid. As Education evolved, a Royal decree was issued in 1423 Hijri (2002) to annex the General Presidency for Girls’ Education, under the Ministry of Knowledge. Dr. Khedr Al-Qurashi was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Knowledge for Girls’ Education. A year later, the Ministry of Knowledge, was renamed the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Education (Higher Education) was established by Royal Decree No. 1/236 dated 8/5/1395 Hijri (19/5/1975) to execute the Kingdom's Policy on Higher Education. The Minister of Education is responsible for the implementation of the Government's Educational Policy.
Higher Education has received enormous Governmental Support; new Universities, Scientific and Applied Colleges were opened and huge funds were allocated in Budgets for Higher Education. The number of Higher Education Institutions in KSA has registered 26 Government Universities, 10 Private Universities, and 41 Private Colleges. These Universities and Colleges have Scientific, and Applied Majors in different areas. The Ministry of Education (Higher Education) has also adopted modern approaches for Scientific Research, and Future Planning. In 1436 Hijri (2015), The Ministries of Education and Higher Education were merged into one entity, the Ministry of Education. His Excellency Dr. Azzam Mohammed Al-Dakhil was appointed as the Minister of Education.
The Ministry seeks to establish a distinct Educational System that builds a Globally Competitive Knowledge-based Community. The Ministry pursues to provide Education to all in an appropriate Educational Environment within the framework of the KSA Education Policy, as well as to promote the quality of Education Outcomes, increase the effectiveness of Scientific Research, encourage Creativity and Innovation, develop Community Partnership and promote the Skills, and Capabilities of students.
H.E. Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Isa endorsed the Organizational Structure of the Ministry of Education and its enforcement beginning from its release on Monday, 3rd of September 2018 (G). The structure included the Consolidation, Termination and Creation of a Number of Agencies, aiming at more integrative work processes and the streamlining of Duties the Ministry is tasked with in accordance with Scopes of these Duties and in Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Furthermore, the Minister issued Decisions of Assignments of Deputies as per the Organizational Structure. The structuring included merger of the Two Deputies of Male and Female education into a Single Deputy under the name Agency of Education Performance, and naming the education agency tasked with University Affairs as Agency of Higher Education and Academic Research, creation of the Agency of Parallel Education, that is competent with the education of those Gifted, Special Education, Qualitative Initiatives Center, Lifelong Education and Saudi Schools Abroad, creation of the Agency of Human Resources and Agency of Financial and Administrative Affairs.
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