Digital transformation in Saudi education: 8 million beneficiaries and global leadership
Deputy Minister of Education, Professor Dr. Inas Al-Issa, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is writing a global success story in the field of digital transformation in education , describing it as one of the greatest national investments with a sustainable impact. This came during her active participation in the sessions of the “Absher 2025” conference, where she explained that digitalization in education has moved beyond the stage of indicators and figures to become a strategic path that is reshaping the future of human development in the Kingdom.
Global leaps forward supported by leadership and Vision 2030
In discussing achievements, Al-Issa pointed out that the rapid progress witnessed in the education and technology sectors comes with direct support from the wise leadership, and in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This support has resulted in the Kingdom attaining a prominent international position, ranking fourth globally in the United Nations Digital Government Development Index and second in the World Bank's index, reflecting the maturity of the Saudi experience and its superiority over many developed countries.
From emergency response to a sustainable strategy
Returning to the recent historical context, the digital transformation of Saudi education was not a sudden occurrence, but rather a process that unfolded through pivotal stages, most notably the exceptional success achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic through the "My School" platform. This experience evolved from a crisis management solution into an ongoing operational model and a national learning management platform, demonstrating the resilience of the Kingdom's digital infrastructure. The Deputy Minister explained that the journey has moved from traditional models to an integrated system that now serves more than 8 million students in general, university, and vocational education.
Eliminating the barrier of geography and achieving justice
Dr. Inas Al-Issa emphasized a crucial point regarding the social impact of technology, asserting that digital transformation has redefined the concepts of "distance" and "opportunity." A student's geographical location, whether in major cities or remote villages, is no longer an obstacle to accessing high-quality education. This development has contributed to establishing the principle of equal opportunity and ensuring the right to access knowledge for every citizen and resident in the Kingdom.
Leading platforms that enhance the Kingdom's international standing
Al-Issa reviewed a range of platforms that have transformed education, such as “Qabool” and “Safir,” in addition to the “Study in Saudi Arabia” platform, which aims to attract international students, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s soft power and establishing it as a global educational destination. She also discussed the FutureX , which integrates with more than 2,000 local and international entities and has enabled more than two million learners, directly contributing to the growth of the knowledge economy.
Artificial intelligence and the teacher: integration, not replacement
The Deputy Minister of Education concluded her remarks by emphasizing that artificial intelligence technologies are employed as supporting tools to empower teachers and enhance the efficiency of the educational process, and are not a substitute for the pivotal human role. She praised the spirit of partnership and integration between the Ministry of Education and various sectors to make Saudi education a globally emulated model.
