Regulations for Private and International Schools

Introduction

The Ministry of Education aims to enhance the role of the private sector and encourage its involvement in developing the education system. To achieve this goal, the ministry seeks to create a competitive advantage that aligns with established quality standards for educational services. This strategy includes implementing modern methods to improve educational outcomes and streamline procedures for private and international schools. As a result, the ministry has established regulations for these educational institutions.

Managing and Modifying the Organizational Structures of Private and International Schools

Private and international schools are permitted to manage and modify their internal organizational structures in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 4401195148, dated 10/11/1444 AH. This resolution allows these educational institutions to adjust their internal frameworks, provided they adhere to the specified controls and regulations.

First: General Controls:

• Develop a structure that effectively aligns with the school's organizational, functional, educational, and pedagogical objectives.
• The number of staffs in the school's structure should align with the characteristics of the building and the student population. This alignment should consider the various categories of students, including general education, kindergarten, special education, and gifted, as well as their respective academic levels.
• Clearly outline the tasks, roles, responsibilities, and organizational affiliations for all administrative and educational positions, including those in support services. When hiring staff, consider the essential competencies and qualifications required for each position.
• Ensure flexibility in the formation of teams and committees in response to work demands. Additionally, establish a variety of communication channels to actively engage all stakeholders.

Second: Organization of the School's Internal Structure

• The school must have a principal responsible for both administrative and technical matters, ensuring efficient and effective performance.
• Depending on the school's size and student enrollment, one or more deputy principals must be appointed to oversee student affairs, educational programs, and overall school operations.
• The number of teaching staff must be adequate, depending on the type of education, licensing, levels, curricula, and student categories. This procedure ensures effective lesson preparation, regardless of the educational format; monitoring of student academic performance; development of educational materials; execution of scientific experiments; and provision of technical support.
• The number of administrative staffs must be adequate to handle secretarial tasks, ensure continuous updates to school data, supervise students daily from entry to exit, monitor student activities throughout the school day, and enforce rules of conduct and attendance.
• One or more designated personnel should be present to oversee student guidance and supervision, develop and implement a counseling plan, promote mental and physical health, and monitor student behavior and attendance.
• One or more designated personnel must be present to oversee and implement a student activity plan in accordance with approved regulations and to compile the required reports.
• The number of personnel should be adequate to provide support services, manage school transportation, and ensure the monitoring of school facilities, including cleanliness and maintenance.

To view the circular

Determining School Hours and Schedules

Private and international schools are permitted to establish their own school hours and schedules, as detailed in Ministerial Circular No. 4400696205, dated 02/07/1444 AH. This circular offers guidelines for these schools on how to set their school hours and schedules in accordance with specific regulations as follows:

School schedule and working hours regulations:

• Schools have the right to start the school day half an hour earlier or one hour later than the approved schedule.
• Schools have the flexibility to determine class time, ensuring that each class lasts no less than 35 minutes for elementary and intermediate schools and 40 minutes for secondary schools. The savings generated from this flexible class time are allocated to enrichment programs that are licensed by the ministry, in accordance with the daily and weekly learning hours designated for each grade in general education.
• Schools that implement the provisions outlined in paragraphs 1 and 2 must notify the Department of Education or its affiliated international education offices. Furthermore, they are required to announce the school day schedule to beneficiaries either two weeks prior to the start of the semester or at the time of registration at the beginning of the academic year.

View the Circular No. 4400696205

Academic Calendar for Private and International Institutions:

Private and international education institutions are permitted to establish the start and end dates of their semesters and holidays, as outlined in Ministerial Circular No. 4401204734, dated 12/11/1444 AH. This circular authorizes the implementation of an academic calendar specifically for these institutions. Institutions that choose to do so may create their own schedules for semesters and holidays in accordance with the specified regulations:

• The total number of school days for the academic year must not exceed the approved calendar, with the possibility of increasing it. The start of the academic year may be brought forward or delayed by no more than two weeks from the approved academic calendar.
• The ability to organize vacations should demonstrate the facility's commitment to the approved academic calendar while ensuring that studies continue on the designated dates for the implementation of international and national tests, provided the school is included in the target sample.
• Institutions wishing to specify the start and end dates for semesters and vacation periods are required to submit a timetable within two weeks following the announcement of the approved calendar. This timetable must clearly outline the start and end dates for each semester, including all vacation periods, and it must be approved by either the Education Department or the International Education Office. Furthermore, institutions are obligated to inform beneficiaries of this plan at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the school year.

View the circular

Using e-learning platforms:

Private and international schools are allowed to use e-learning platforms, as specified in Ministerial Circular No. 4400198181, dated 02/24/1444 AH. This circular emphasizes the importance of thoroughly preparing lessons on the Madrasati platform. Furthermore, Ministerial Circular No. 4400072733, dated 02/01/1444 AH, allows these schools to develop and prepare lessons using the Madrasati platform, provided they follow the established guidelines:

• Emphasize the Madrasati platform's accessibility to private, international, and foreign schools and the benefits they can gain from it.
• Enable private, international, and foreign schools to use their educational platforms, which meet the minimum standards for using any e-learning system, to ensure the continuity of the educational process and achieve the desired outcomes, as issued by Ministerial Circular No. 33212, dated 03/22/1442 AH.
• Emphasize the importance of optimally preparing e-lessons in all private, international, and foreign schools based on the technical specifications available on the platforms.

View Circular No. 4400198181 View the circular 4400072733 View the circular 33212 Click here to view the minimum requirements for using e-learning platforms.

Female Teachers to Teach Kindergarten and Primary Students:

Female teachers are authorized to instruct both male and female students from kindergarten through sixth grade in elementary schools, as stated in Ministerial Circular No. 4401154482, dated 28/10/1444 AH (10/28/2023). This circular endorses the practice of female teachers to educate both male and female students in private and international schools.

View the circular

Enabling private and international education schools to use their facilities outside of regular working hours

Private and international education schools are allowed to use their facilities outside of regular working hours and during vacations. This initiative encourages these schools to provide enrichment programs for male and female students, special education students, and the broader community. This practice is authorized by Ministerial Circular No. 1/4400765423, dated 03/07/1444 AH (1444/07/03 AH), which allows the use of school buildings beyond regular hours and during vacation periods, subject to the following guidelines:

• The program must focus solely on purposes that support the educational process, such as offering training programs, enrichment activities, cultural events, and sports programs for both male and female students, as well as for special education students.
• The program must not affect the educational process at the facility in any way.
• Ensure compliance with all regulations and instructions from the relevant authorities. The facility assumes full responsibility for any consequences arising from the implementation of these programs.

View the Circular

Supporting and empowering private and international schools to develop extracurricular activities:

Private and international schools are authorized to develop extracurricular activities—such as music, theater, and sports—according to Ministerial Circular No. (4400983768) dated 01/09/1444 AH. This circular empowers these schools to engage in and enhance their extracurricular programs as follows:

• Throughout the school year, private and international schools plan activities, parties, visits, and student trips. They must notify the Department of Education or its International Education Office one week prior to the start of the school year.
• Private and international schools must adhere to the regulations regarding student parties, visits, and trips, as well as the instructions from the relevant authorities when implementing these activities.

View the circular and related regulations

Regulations Governing Tuition Fees for Private and International Education Schools:

• The Ministry of Education issued Ministerial Resolution No. 440075353504, dated 02/07/1444 AH, which outlines the approved tuition fee provisions. The responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and relevant committees include reviewing the regulations governing tuition fees, creating a comprehensive database of private schools and their associated fees in the kingdom, addressing complaints related to these fees, and establishing procedures to protect the rights of students, schools, and parents.
• The resolution also approves the regulations that govern tuition fees in private schools.

View the regulations governing tuition fees in private schools View the circular

Tuition fees for 1446 AH/2025

PDF Excel

Rules Governing Student Housing in Boarding Schools (Private, International, and Special Education):

The regulations governing student housing in boarding schools—specifically private, international, and special education institutions—were approved by Ministerial Resolution No. 4401009735, dated 08/09/1444 AH.

To access the rules governing student housing in boarding schools (private, international, and special education), click here

To view the resolution that approves the regulations for student housing in boarding schools (private, international, and special education) click here

Licensing Requirements for Educational Materials

To issue licenses to international publishers exempt from additional requirements, they must provide proof of their inclusion on the list of companies accredited by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) and obtain a content license from the Curriculum Development Center. If an investor wishes to accredit curricula from companies or publishing houses not on the ETEC's accredited list, the application will be accepted by following the applicable accreditation procedures (requirements).

We are pleased to accept licensing applications at the Saudi Business Center, which is in the Ministry of Education headquarters on King Abdullah Road, Main Gate, First Floor.

To be added to the list of companies exempt from additional requirements, you can submit your request to the Education and Training Evaluation Commission at the email address: Curriculum.Pub.List@etec.gov.sa.

Criteria for Selecting School Leaders of Private and International General Education

• The criteria for selecting school leaders of private and international general education were approved by Ministerial Resolution No. (4401188414/3/S) dated 10/4/1445 AH. These criteria aim to clarify the requirements, qualifications, and experience necessary for candidates seeking the position of leader at a private or international school. Additionally, they serve as a comprehensive guide for the selection process of school leaders within private and international general education. The criteria encompass several fundamental standards and comparative benchmarks, as well as procedures for nomination, selection, and contracting.

To access the criteria for selecting leaders in private and international general education, click here

To view the resolution regarding the criteria for selecting leaders of private and international schools, click here