Riyadh: The World Bank praised the Kingdom’s efforts to provide inclusive education, ensure its quality, and improve learning outcomes, as well as the role of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) in enhancing the performance of the education system in Saudi Arabia.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the bank highlighted several national programs implemented by ETEC, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, to improve learning outcomes through the development and implementation of an integrated assessment and evaluation system. This came in a report prepared by a team of experts and recently published by the World Bank under the title ‘Improving Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Evaluation and Assessment.’
The World Bank affirmed that the Kingdom has achieved advanced levels of inclusive education, approaching near-universal enrollment rates, noting that current efforts are focused on improving quality. It stated that the average achievement of fourth-grade students in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) increased by an amount equivalent to one year of schooling when comparing 2016 and 2021 results. Additionally, Saudi students’ performance in mathematics and science improved by an amount equivalent to two years of schooling between 2015 and 2023, according to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
The World Bank praised the impact of ETEC on transforming education in the Kingdom and its efforts in adopting high educational standards and fostering a culture of comprehensive assessment and evaluation for development. It highlighted the tangible impact of the National Assessments (NAFS), which covered nearly 1.5 million students in 2025, and the National School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation Program, which contributes to improving education quality and enhancing schools’ institutional accountability. The program’s outcomes included the recognition of seven hundred and sixty outstanding schools at the National Forum for School Excellence ‘Tamayuz 2025,’ following two hundred and ninety-two schools in 2024. Assessment data generated by these programs support the development of teaching and learning processes and the enhancement of educational performance in schools.
Moreover, the World Bank highlighted the digital transformation and data-driven solutions adopted by ETEC in implementing its programs. This includes the digital platform Tamayuz, which streamlined school evaluation processes, and the Mustaqbalhum application, which enhanced transparency and enabled parents to monitor their children’s assessment results and school performance.
The World Bank concluded its report by affirming that improving the quality of education in the Kingdom is a fundamental pillar for developing human capital and supporting sustainable economic growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030, noting that ETEC continues to implement comprehensive assessment programs that contribute to achieving these national objectives.
