Ministry of Education promotion requirements and dates for 2026 via the Fares system

On Tuesday evening, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced the roadmap for the procedures and dates of promotions for ministry staff for the fiscal year 2026. This announcement comes as part of the ministry's commitment to enhancing job stability and motivating educational and administrative staff, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which gives the education sector paramount importance as the cornerstone of human development.

The context of professional development in the education sector

The 2026 promotions are of particular importance, coming as they do amidst radical transformations in the Saudi education sector aimed at enhancing institutional performance and professionalizing teaching positions. The Ministry has linked the promotion process to precise merit-based criteria, rather than relying solely on seniority. This approach reflects the Ministry's desire to create a positive, competitive environment that motivates teachers and administrators to continuously develop their skills and obtain professional licenses, which have become essential for ensuring the quality of educational outcomes.

The importance of the Fares system and data accuracy

The ministry stressed in its statement the importance of ensuring that all regulatory requirements for promotion are met before initiating official procedures. The accuracy of data entered into the "Faris" system (employee self-service system) is considered the cornerstone of the promotion process. The ministry urged all employees to review and verify their data and update their academic qualifications and performance evaluations well in advance, emphasizing that the responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of their digital file rests with the employee.

Promotion requirements for teaching positions according to rank

The ministry clarified the precise criteria for promotion based on the new educational job regulations, which are as follows:

• Teacher rank: Transfer or promotion requires obtaining the minimum number of professional development points approved in the points calculation guide of the educational job regulations.
• Practicing Teacher Rank: The primary requirement is obtaining a valid professional license, which confirms the Ministry’s commitment to the standards of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.
• Advanced Teacher Rank: The employee must have received a job performance evaluation of no less than “very good” during the last three years, to ensure continued excellence in performance.

Regulations for promoting employees on the wages item

Regarding employees appointed on a wage basis, the ministry has established specific controls to ensure fairness in promotions for direct categories, which are:

• Completing a minimum of four years in the current category occupied by the employee.
• The principle is based on both seniority and competence. In cases of equal seniority between two or more employees, the higher educational level is used as the deciding factor.
• It is necessary to register and document the academic qualification in the “Faris” system before the promotion eligibility date.
• There must be a documented job performance evaluation for 2025 in the system before the completion date.

Important notices regarding dates and procedures

The ministry confirmed that the final announcement dates for promotion results are contingent upon the completion of all procedural and auditing processes. It emphasized that no promotion requests or requests for supplementary documentation will be accepted after the specified deadlines, requiring strict adherence to the timeline. The ministry also indicated that any new regulations will be announced exclusively through its official channels to ensure that everyone receives accurate information.