57% of kindergartens in Saudi Arabia have completed self-assessment

In a strategic move reflecting the commitment of educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to national quality standards, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) announced the expansion of the National School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation Program. This expansion now includes the Early Childhood and Kindergarten stages, with ETEC reporting that 57% of kindergartens and 42% of early childhood schools have completed the self-evaluation requirements, indicating significant progress towards compliance with quality standards.

Statistical indicators and quality indicators

Recent statistical indicators released by the Authority demonstrate a tangible and positive response from schools to the program. This achievement follows the Authority's completion of its comprehensive national project to evaluate public schools across its three stages (primary, intermediate, and secondary). The focus is now shifting intensively towards establishing quality standards in the early stages, which form the solid foundation upon which a student's educational path is built.

The importance of early childhood in Vision 2030

The significance of these figures extends beyond mere statistics, encompassing strategic dimensions linked to the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Vision places great emphasis on early childhood education, aiming to increase enrollment rates and improve its quality, given that investment in this stage is among the highest-yielding investments in human development. Implementing quality standards at this early age ensures the establishment of a generation equipped with essential skills and national values, facilitating their smooth and efficient transition to subsequent educational stages.

Evaluation Methodology: A Leading Saudi Model

The Education and Training Evaluation Commission has adopted a sequential and rigorous methodology for school evaluation, aimed at ensuring and regulating the quality of education and training. This methodology consists of three main stages:

• Self-evaluation: This is the foundational step that starts from within the school, where the school reviews its performance transparently according to the approved standards.
• External evaluation: This is carried out by specialized teams from the Authority to verify the accuracy of the self-evaluation results and to ascertain the actual situation.
• School classification: This is the final stage that gives the school its deserved position on the quality scale based on its performance.

Enhancing competitiveness and developing human capabilities

The authority affirmed that this methodology represents a leading Saudi model globally, as the integrated evaluation process aims to achieve sustainable institutional excellence, not merely real-time monitoring. This accelerated progress is part of the "Human Capacity Development Program," one of the Vision 2030 programs, where school evaluation serves as a vital tool for creating a stimulating and competitive educational environment. This environment contributes to raising learning outcomes and building a globally competitive generation, thus fulfilling the aspirations of the wise leadership to make Saudi education a model to be emulated regionally and internationally.