Education has always been a central component of Saudi Arabia’s culture, so it’s no surprise that teaching jobs are incredibly popular. They typically offer top salaries, visa assistance, free housing, international insurance and other perks.
The most competitive places to teach are universities and colleges, where well-qualified ESL teachers can often find positions preparing first-year students for English proficiency exams. These jobs often offer better salaries and benefits than TEFL jobs.
Secondary Education
Secondary education in Saudi Arabia is free and financed by the government. Students can choose to go to public or private schools.
The Kingdom’s schools are religious-oriented and based on Islamic values. They provide education for boys and girls in kindergarten, elementary, intermediate and high school.
These schools offer general education courses in mathematics, Arabic, science, English, Islamic studies and social studies. Those who pass the examination receive a general education completion certificate.
The Kingdom’s public secondary schools also offer vocational training in specific fields. These include industrial, commercial, agricultural and technical vocational schools run by the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVTC).
Private Education
Saudi Arabia has a wide network of public and private education institutions that provide both free and tuition-based education. Students can attend public schools or private colleges and universities, both of which offer bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs in a variety of disciplines.
The government has a strong commitment to improving the quality of education, which is driven by Vision 2030. As a result, the country’s education system is experiencing growth.
Some of the factors driving this growth include the government’s drive for privatization, the need for general improvement in the quality of education, and a growing preference among consumers for private schools that provide value for money.
The country also has a number of international schools that enroll mainly foreign students. These include the British International School in Riyadh, which teaches from foundation one to high school and follows the British curriculum.
Higher Education
The education sector in Saudi Arabia is largely shaped by the government, but private universities also play an important role. Its tertiary education system has grown tremendously in the last few years, with 29 public and 11 private universities as well as hundreds of community colleges, women’s colleges and technical and vocational training schools.
The Kingdom’s vision for the future of higher education is to build a system that balances the need for students to gain the knowledge, skills and ‘ways of doing’ necessary to operate effectively on the world stage while maintaining and demonstrating Islamic values and traditions. This is being achieved through a modern curriculum that sets rigorous standards in literacy, numeracy and skills.
Higher education in the Kingdom includes bachelor’s degrees, master’s programs and PhDs. The first level of higher education is the bachelor’s degree, which takes about four years to complete and involves studying a number of subjects. Most programs teach in Arabic and English. A master’s degree is the next level and lasts two years to complete.
Teaching
Saudi Arabia is a country of incredible wealth and a great destination for teaching English abroad. It’s also a culturally enriching experience that allows you to explore Middle Eastern and Islamic traditions.
Most international schools are looking for well-qualified teachers with classroom experience. This includes those who have a teaching license and master’s degree.
Typically, you’ll earn between $2,000 and $4000+ per month depending on your qualifications. This is a very generous salary and will usually include free accommodation, paid return airfares and end of contract bonuses.
However, there are some things to keep in mind before you decide to work as a teacher in this country. First, you should understand that most of the public institutions are segregated by gender and it’s important to respect these laws.
