Saudi Education Law 2026, What Parents And Schools Need To Know

A new education law in Saudi Arabia could shape how schools operate, how international education providers are regulated and what families can expect from the education system.

In a September 2026 legal briefing, Al Tamimi & Company explains the implications of the Kingdom’s new General Education Law for international educators and private school operators. The law introduces a clearer framework for school licensing, curricula, accreditation and private sector investment, while strengthening the focus on students’ rights and educational support.

For parents, the changes are worth understanding because they relate to school standards, curriculum choices, fees and support for children with different learning needs. However, some details still depend on regulations that have yet to be issued.

What Is Saudi Arabia’s New General Education Law?

Approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 July 2026 and published in the official gazette on 24 July, the General Education Law is due to come into force on 20 January 2027.

It covers public, private and international schools, as well as nurseries, kindergartens and specialist education providers.

The law sets out the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and other regulatory bodies. It also creates a framework for private and foreign investment in education and gives greater attention to early childhood education, students with disabilities and gifted learners.

For families, the key question is how these changes will affect the quality, accessibility and choice of education available to their children.

Key Dates For Saudi Arabia’s New Education Law

Date	What It Means
7 July 2026	The Council of Ministers approved the General Education Law.
24 July 2026	The law was published in Saudi Arabia’s official gazette.
20 January 2027	The law is due to come into force.
By 20 January 2028	The General Education Affairs Council must issue replacement rules for specified repealed regulations. Existing rules continue to apply until replacements are introduced.
Date to be confirmed	The Ministry of Education is expected to issue implementing regulations. The law does not set a specific deadline for these.

The implementation date does not mean that every aspect of school regulation will change immediately. Some requirements will depend on further rules and guidance from the relevant authorities.

What Could The Law Mean For Parents?

More Focus On School Standards

The law clarifies the roles of the authorities responsible for overseeing education. The Ministry of Education will remain responsible for school licensing, curriculum approval and major programme changes.

The Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) will continue to play a key role in school accreditation, national assessments and teacher licensing.

For parents, these arrangements make it important to check a school’s approval and accreditation status when comparing options. Accreditation can help families understand whether a school meets recognised quality standards, although parents should also consider teaching quality, student wellbeing, learning support and academic progress.

What Parents Should Know About International Schools

International schools can offer different curricula and approaches, including British, American, International Baccalaureate and bilingual programmes.

Under the new law, international programmes require Ministry of Education approval. Schools must also teach subjects related to Saudi national identity, which generally include Arabic, Religious Studies and Social Studies.

Arabic remains the primary language of instruction under the law, while teaching in other languages is permitted within the applicable regulatory framework. Further rules are expected to clarify how this will work in practice.

Parents choosing an international school should ask which curriculum it follows, whether its programme is approved and how it delivers the required national subjects.

Will School Fees Change?

The law allows private schools to set their own fees, but fee increases will be subject to a framework established by the General Education Affairs Council.

The details of that framework have yet to be issued. The law should therefore not be taken as confirmation that school fees will fall, remain frozen or change by a particular amount.

Parents should continue to review fee schedules, payment deadlines, additional charges and the school’s policy on fee increases before accepting a place.

More Attention To Different Learning Needs

The law provides for education and support for students with disabilities, gifted learners and children who need specialist provision.

It also recognises specialist education centres and creates scope for a broader range of education services.

For parents, this makes it important to ask schools about the support they can provide. Families may want to understand how learning needs are identified, what specialist staff are available, how individual support is planned and how progress is reviewed.

The availability and delivery of particular services will depend on the relevant requirements and the provision offered by each school.

What Will Change For Schools?

Clearer Licensing Requirements

The Ministry of Education will be the main licensing authority for schools. Under the law, it must issue a written decision on a school licence application within 30 days. If an application is refused, the decision must include reasons, and the refusal can be challenged.

Foreign investors will also have a defined route into the education sector. According to Al Tamimi & Company’s analysis, foreign investors may own 100% of a school operating company, subject to applicable investment and regulatory requirements.

Investors must follow the relevant registration and company formation processes before applying for the necessary education licences.

Accreditation And Teacher Licensing

Private schools will be required to obtain accreditation through ETEC or an international accreditation body approved by ETEC.

Teachers must hold the required professional teaching licence and follow the applicable professional ethics requirements and national values.

These requirements place greater emphasis on recognised standards and professional accountability. Schools will need to ensure that their licences, accreditation and staffing arrangements meet the rules that apply to them.

Opportunities For Specialist And Private Education Providers

The law opens up opportunities for private operators to participate in different areas of education, including specialist provision and the operation or management of government schools under approved arrangements.

It also recognises educational consultancy as a licensed profession.

These provisions could create opportunities for providers offering specialist teaching, educational support and alternative learning approaches. The practical scope of these opportunities will depend on the regulations and approval processes established by the authorities.

Which Details Are Still To Be Confirmed?

Although the law establishes the overall framework, some important details remain subject to further rules. These include,

How school fees and fee increases will be regulated.
The conditions for teaching in languages other than Arabic.
Rules covering co-education in relevant settings.
Requirements for online and virtual schools.
Which international accreditation bodies will be approved.
Further details on staff conduct and what constitutes a serious violation.

Parents should avoid assuming that these matters have already been settled. Schools and families will need to follow official guidance as it is issued.

Questions Parents Should Ask When Choosing A School

As the new framework develops, parents can make informed decisions by asking schools a few practical questions,

Is the school licensed by the Ministry of Education?
Is its curriculum or international programme approved?
What accreditation does it hold?
How does it teach Arabic and the required national identity subjects?
What support is available for children with additional learning needs or particular talents?
What are the full tuition fees, and how are future increases handled?
How does the school communicate changes in regulations to families?

These questions remain useful regardless of whether a school follows a national or international curriculum.

What Happens Next?

Saudi Arabia’s new General Education Law establishes a framework for the next stage of the education sector’s development. Its impact on individual schools and families will become clearer as the law comes into force and additional regulations are published.

For parents, the immediate priority is to understand how schools meet current requirements and to keep an eye on official updates about accreditation, curricula, fees and student support.

For schools and education providers, the priority will be to review their licensing, programmes and operating arrangements against the new framework.

The law sets the direction, but the details of implementation will determine how changes are put into practice across Saudi Arabia’s education sector.