Computerized talent assessment tests launched for more than 8,000 students
Today marks the start of the Mawhiba (Talent) program assessments for over 8,000 students enrolled in the program, taking place at 26 centers across 13 cities in Saudi Arabia. This significant educational event aims to evaluate students at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, ensuring the continued provision of high-quality education tailored to their exceptional abilities.
The Journey of Nurturing Creativity: The Historical Background of the Mawhiba Program
The roots of interest in gifted students in the Kingdom can be traced back to the establishment of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in 1999, which undertook the mission of discovering and nurturing gifted individuals. In 2009, the Foundation launched the first edition of the Mawhiba Classes program in partnership with a number of distinguished schools. Since then, the program has developed significantly to become a cornerstone of the Saudi education system, providing a stimulating learning environment that combines the approved Ministry of Education curriculum with advanced enrichment programs specifically designed to meet the needs of students with high intellectual abilities.
Digital transformation in talent assessments and its educational impact
This year marks a significant and fundamental shift: the complete transition to a computerized system for administering the Mawhiba (Talent) assessments across all grade levels. This digital transformation focuses on enhancing the quality and speed of the assessment process and contributes effectively to the highly accurate analysis of test results. This technological advancement enables the generation of detailed reports that support schools and students in improving academic performance and help identify areas of excellence and opportunities for development early on, thus enhancing the efficiency of the entire educational process.
Rigorous international standards for selecting partner schools
The selection of partner schools for the program is based on rigorous international standards applied through diverse assessment mechanisms. These processes are led by highly trained local assessors familiar with Mawhiba's tools and standards, ensuring the objectivity of the evaluation and its alignment with international best practices in gifted education. The program offers partner schools a comprehensive package of services, including specialized teacher training programs, educational consultations, and access to a pool of gifted students identified through precise scientific assessment tools.
Strategic impact: The event's importance locally and internationally
The significance of this event lies in its direct alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. Locally, the program contributes to building a generation of leaders and innovators capable of driving development. Regionally and internationally, nurturing these students prepares them to compete in international competitions and Olympiads, thus enhancing the Kingdom's position as a leading exporter of knowledge and innovation and supporting the development of a knowledge-based society that contributes to the global economy.
Comprehensive support for students and development of advanced curricula
The program supports gifted students from fourth grade through twelfth grade by providing advanced science and mathematics curricula. These curricula contribute to the development of multiple aspects of the student's personality by focusing on deep understanding, generating creative ideas, using evidence, and employing logical reasoning and inference. The program also aims to empower schools to use appropriate teaching and assessment strategies, prepare students for admission to prestigious universities, and strengthen the role of parents and activate the principle of community participation to ensure a nurturing and integrated environment for giftedness.
