Saudi Arabia’s General Education Law, issued by Royal Decree M/36 and published on 24 July 2026, takes effect 180 days later, around 20 January 2027. For international schools, it requires ETEC accreditation, or accreditation from an ETEC-approved international body. The Ministry must approve international programmes, and national identity subjects are mandatory. It repeals the Foreign Schools Regulation.
This article summarises the official text. It is not legal advice, and schools should take local legal advice on how it applies to them.
What is the new General Education Law?
A single law for all general education, public and private. The Council of Ministers approved it by decision No. 103, and it was issued by Royal Decree M/36 (Umm Al-Qura). Article 68 says the law comes into force “after one hundred and eighty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette”. It sets compulsory education from age 6 to 15. It also creates a Council for General Education Affairs, chaired by the Minister, which the President of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) sits on.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Royal Decree M/36 (27/1/1448H); Cabinet decision No. 103 (22/1/1448H) |
| Published | 24 July 2026, Umm Al-Qura gazette |
| In force | 180 days after publication: around 20 January 2027 |
| New body | Council for General Education Affairs, chaired by the Minister |
| Implementing regulations | To be issued by ministerial decision; not yet published |
What does it require of international schools?
Four things stand out for private international schools, from the law’s text:
| Area | What the law says (our translation) |
|---|---|
| International programmes (Art. 28) | “The Ministry — in agreement with the competent authorities — approves international educational programmes in private educational institutions, and supervises the implementation of their requirements and conditions” |
| Accreditation (Art. 30(2)) | “Private educational institutions are obliged to obtain school accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, or from one of the international bodies accredited by the Commission” |
| National tests (Art. 30(1)) | Schools apply the national and international tests ETEC runs |
| National identity (Art. 31(4)) | The Ministry ensures the “teaching of national identity subjects approved by the National Curriculum Center” |
Language is addressed in Article 5: “Arabic is the principal language of general education, and teaching in an additional language is permitted under controls approved by the Council.” The law’s aims (Article 2) include mastery of Arabic, national identity and “learning at least one foreign language”.
What about ETEC accreditation?
It becomes a legal obligation for private schools, with an international route. Article 30(2) allows accreditation from ETEC “or from one of the international bodies accredited by the Commission”. The Council of International Schools says that “in Saudi Arabia, CIS is recognized by Education and Training Commission (ETEC)” (CIS). Schools already accredited by an international body should confirm with ETEC that their accreditor is recognised before the law takes effect. See choosing an accreditation route.
Does the law change licensing and co-education?
It restates Ministry control of licences and allows co-education exceptions. Article 32 gives the Ministry power to license private schools. It must decide within 30 days and give reasons for refusal. Article 33 requires Ministry approval to open, transfer, rename, relocate or change the stage of a school. Article 35 has the Ministry set criteria for fee changes, approved by the Council.
Article 6 says girls’ schools after early childhood are separate from boys’ schools, but this “does not apply to private education institutions, or to some of them, according to controls set by the Council and approved by the Council of Ministers”. Co-educational international schools should watch for those controls.
What rights and penalties does it set?
Student rights and a tiered penalty scale. Article 38 gives students rights including a safe environment “psychologically, physically and intellectually”. It also says their pass certificate must be handed over “without restriction or condition” after the school year. Schools that withhold certificates, for example over unpaid fees, should check this with counsel. Article 60 sets penalties for private schools:
| Penalty (Art. 60) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Warning | First level |
| Suspension of student registration | Stops new enrolment |
| Fine | Not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than SAR 50,000 |
| Cancellation of the licence | Enrolled students complete the year at the owner’s expense |
| Publication | The decision may be published at the violator’s expense |
What happens to the Foreign Schools Regulation?
It is repealed, but its rules continue for up to a year. Cabinet decision No. 103 repeals the Foreign Schools Regulation (Cabinet decision 26 of 1418H) and the Private Schools Regulation (1006 of 1395H), among others. Their provisions stay in force until the Council issues replacement rules, “within a period not exceeding one year from the date the law comes into force” (Umm Al-Qura). So international schools face current rules until around January 2027, and new Council rules by about January 2028.
What should international school leaders do now?
- Take legal advice on how the law and forthcoming regulations apply to your licence.
- Check your accreditor is recognised by ETEC, or plan for ETEC accreditation.
- Document Ministry approval of each international programme you run.
- Map national identity subjects and Arabic provision, ready for the National Curriculum Center’s list.
- Review certificate and fee policies against Article 38.
- Watch the Council’s rules for private and foreign schools, due within a year of the law taking effect.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
When timetables must fit national identity subjects and Arabic, and ETEC reviews performance, schools need efficient practice and clear evidence. AI Buddy gives students past-paper-style Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel practice with instant marking. Leaders get cohort-level attainment data that can support self-evaluation for accreditation. Compliance decisions remain the school’s own.
Frequently asked questions
When does Saudi Arabia’s new Education Law take effect?
180 days after its publication on 24 July 2026, which is around 20 January 2027.
Do international schools in Saudi Arabia need ETEC accreditation?
Under Article 30(2), private schools must obtain school accreditation from ETEC or from an international body ETEC accredits.
Does the law require national identity subjects in international schools?
Yes. Article 31(4) requires the teaching of national identity subjects approved by the National Curriculum Center in private schools.
What are the penalties for private schools under the new law?
A warning, suspension of student registration, a fine of SAR 5,000 to 50,000, licence cancellation, and publication of the decision.
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Sources
- Umm Al-Qura (official gazette), Royal Decree M/36, Cabinet decision No. 103 and General Education Law (published 24 July 2026)
- Council of International Schools, Recognition of CIS International Accreditation by country