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RIYADH: Around 102,000 students in Saudi Arabia will learn Chinese annually in public schools, while three new institutions for the gifted will open as part of the Kingdom’s 2025 education plans. 

According to the Ministry of Finance’s budget report, the education sector has been allocated SR201 billion ($53.50 billion), representing 16 percent of the government’s expenditures for the coming year. 

This funding aims to promote comprehensive education, enhance learning within families and communities, and equip individuals with the skills necessary for national development and workforce readiness. 

It was announced in September that Saudi Arabia had begun teaching the Chinese language to primary and middle school students to equip learners with valuable skills and promote cultural appreciation. 

Pupils are now learning Mandarin, with 175 educators teaching the language as part of an agreement between the Kingdom and China. The program aims to improve job prospects and academic opportunities, particularly for those interested in studying at Chinese universities.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and China’s growing global influence, further strengthening the trade and cultural ties between the two nations, according to the Ministry of Education. 

The program started with pilot schools and will gradually expand to include high school students by 2029. Educators from both nations view the initiative as a “win-win,” promoting cultural exchange and enhancing communication between the two countries.

Key projects for Saudi Arabia’s education sector in 2025, as mentioned in the Kingdom’s budget for the coming fiscal year, include increasing kindergarten enrollment to 40 percent to help achieve the Vision 2030 target of 90 percent while addressing the need for specialized teaching staff. 

There are also plans to expand enrollment for students with disabilities and build sports halls for girls in public schools. 

The Kingdom aims to raise the percentage of accredited training institutions to 39 percent while establishing three new academic facilities dedicated to nurturing gifted students in areas such as sports and technology, with one school set to open in Riyadh. 

Saudi Arabia’s focus on education and the significant investment in this sector reflects its commitment to diversifying its economy and empowering its youth to contribute to the Kingdom’s future growth. 

This emphasis on education is driven by the country’s long-term Vision 2030 goals, which seek to transition away from oil dependency and create a knowledge-based economy. 

Saudi Arabia has recognized that education plays a central role in shaping the future of its citizens, particularly the younger generation. This has led to a series of reforms aimed at improving the quality of schooling, increasing access to education, and fostering specialized skills. 

As the Kingdom seeks to boost industries beyond oil, there is a clear need for a skilled workforce in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and entertainment sectors. 

The Saudi government has also been encouraging international collaboration in the education sector to enhance its global competitiveness. For example, opening branches of prestigious universities, such as Arizona State University, is part of a larger strategy to elevate the country’s standing in the global education rankings. 

This is intended to provide students with access to world-class education and attract international talent to the Kingdom.

Main 2024 achievements for education sector 

The Ministry of Finance’s budget report shows that the significant investment in the Kingdom’s education sector has played a key role in the sector’s notable achievements. 

For instance, three Saudi universities have now ranked among the top 200 globally, with King Saud University advancing into the top 100 in the prestigious Shanghai rankings.

In addition, the percentage of higher education graduates entering the workforce within six months of graduation has increased to 43 percent, a jump from 32 percent in 2023, highlighting the country’s efforts to improve job readiness among graduates. 

Saudi Arabia is also enhancing its educational institutions’ credibility, with four training facilities receiving institutional accreditation to support the Human Capability Development Program and raise the overall national education standard. 

On the infrastructure front, three Saudi cities—Madinah, Al-Ahsa, and King Abdullah City in Thuwal—have been included in UNESCO’s Network of Learning Cities. 

These cities aim to foster a more holistic and inclusive learning environment, offering educational opportunities for all ages and helping to equip citizens with the necessary skills for national development and workforce participation. 

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is expanding its research and development capabilities with the establishment of 40 centers dedicated to innovation, technology, and creativity. 

These centers will promote research and entrepreneurship, fueling the growth of new ideas and inventions. In 2024, the Kingdom saw a 10 percent increase in the enrollment of gifted students, with 28,264 scholars now participating in the National Program for Gifted Identification. 

Additionally, the country achieved six international awards in areas such as technical activity, innovation, and education. 

In terms of physical infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the construction of new educational facilities. A public-private partnership initiative is developing 30 schools in Madinah to create modern and efficient educational facilities. 

In November, PwC Middle East announced the acquisition of Emkan Education, a Saudi consultancy specializing in education and skills development advisory services. The partnership is seen as a significant step toward building a future-ready education system in the Kingdom. 

The acquisition adds Emkan’s experienced professionals, including three prominent Saudi female education leaders, to PwC’s Middle East schooling practice. 

This integration will strengthen PwC’s regional capabilities and support Saudi Arabia’s goal of fostering innovation, empowering citizens, and driving economic transformation.

LIVERPOOL: Jude Bellingham said Real Madrid were beaten by “the best-performing team in Europe” as Liverpool’s dismantling of the Spanish giants set a new bar in Arne Slot’s stunning start at Anfield.
Beleaguered Manchester City are next to run the gauntlet against the rampant Reds on Sunday as Liverpool sense the opportunity to land a knockout blow to Pep Guardiola’s men in the Premier League title race.
Slot has won 17 and drawn one of his 19 matches in all competitions since replacing a legendary figure in Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool enjoy a commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League and have one foot in the last 16 of the Champions League as the only side in the competition with a perfect record from five games.
Overcoming the might of Madrid was the sweetest one so far as Slott did what Klopp could not do during his glorious reign in leaving the kings of the Champions League with a bloodied nose.
Liverpool had not won in the previous eight meetings between the clubs, including defeats in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.
“You know how special it is to play against a club that won this Champions League so many times, are the reigning champions and were a pain in the ass for Liverpool many times as well,” said Slot.
“We are happy where we are but we are not getting carried away by only winning in a group-stage game. This club wants more than only winning group-stage games.”
Slot described the visits of Madrid and City within the space of five days as an “incredible week.”
Halfway through they remain unscathed and are big favorites to take a huge step toward just a second league title in 35 years on Sunday.
Even at their strongest under Guardiola, City have not won in front of an Anfield crowd since 2003.
This version of the English champions is winless in six games and suffering from an existential crisis of confidence.
City blew a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord on Tuesday on the back of Guardiola’s first ever five-game losing streak as a coach.

Liverpool have often been the victim of City’s relentless consistency in the Guardiola era.
Twice Klopp’s sides finished second by the finest of margins despite amassing 97 points in 2018/19 and 92 three years later.
Now they have the chance to open up an 11-point lead that even Guardiola has conceded would be too much for his side to bridge.
“Man City is Man City. They have a bad time now but they have great players,” said Liverpool’s top goalscorer Mohamed Salah.
“We have a game against them so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear.”
In stark contrast to Manchester United’s struggles after the departure of Alex Ferguson, Liverpool have thrived despite the loss of a much-loved and charismatic leader in Klopp.
The German explained that part of his reasoning for stepping down when he did was that he was leaving the club in a good place.
Liverpool were on course for a quadruple deep into last season before faltering in the final months of the campaign as injuries and fatigue took hold.
But Klopp had helped rebuild a team in his final year that Slot is now bearing the fruits of.
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the goals against Madrid, neither of which were part of Klopp’s major glories in winning the Champions League and Premier League in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Slot also credited the club’s academy for adding depth to his squad after Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley shone against Madrid to mitigate the loss of Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury.
“We know that players that come in are really important to finish the games and if you want to win trophies, you need them,” said Mac Allister.
“Of course, you don’t want to be on the bench but we know that every guy here, when he comes in, does his best for the team.”
All three sides that have ever enjoyed an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after 12 games went on to win the title.
On current form, Liverpool are an unstoppable force that an under-par City look incapable of handling.