Saudi school curriculum is levelling up like never before. With the country advancing in esports on a global and professional level, the need to nurture the growth and development of esports at the school level has become imperative.
Landmark Agreement to Transform Learning Pathways
In a significant and noteworthy move, the Saudi Ministry of Education, the National Institute for Educational Professional Development, and Tatweer Educational Technologies signed a memorandum of understanding with the Savvy Games Group to support the integration of game development and esports across the Saudi school curriculum at secondary and higher education levels.
The partnerships span curriculum integration, formal accreditation of Savvy Academy, teacher upskilling, and nationwide initiatives such as the Play to Learn student game development competition. They also include embedding game based learning within the Madrasati platform and supporting talent development through the Waed track and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.
This step is part of a broader initiative to develop Saudi school curriculum, programmes, and training initiatives. The Saudi Ministry of Education announced on its website the signing of three memoranda of understanding with the Savvy Games Group, a company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. These memoranda stipulate the inclusion of electronic games in Saudi’s curriculum, in coordination with the National Center for Curriculum, as part of a broader initiative to integrate the electronic games industry and development into the general, university, and technical and vocational training systems.
Key Plans Supporting Integration of Esports and Game Development
The areas of cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Education and the Savvy Electronic Games Group include several plans aimed at making electronic games an integral part of the educational system in the Kingdom. These plans are based on:
- Inclusion of electronic games in Saudi school curriculum
- Design and implementation of a national competition for the manufacture and development of electronic games
- Preparing qualified national cadres in the field through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program and the Wa’ed track
- Creating innovative career paths that serve the quality of education and support future skills
- Developing teachers’ professional capabilities in coordination with the National Institute for Educational Professional Development, and enabling them to adopt innovative teaching methods
- Savvy Academy has been accredited as one of the strategic partnership institutes affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation
- Developing educational games on the My School platform
- Establishing the Savvy Games and Innovation Lab
- Organising workshops, forums, and events specialising in game based education
- Enabling students and teachers to benefit from modern technological solutions, artificial intelligence, and educational simulations.
Strengthening Future Skills and Supporting National Innovation Goals
The inclusion of game development and esports in Saudi school curriculum nurtures future gamers and game developers. The initiative, part of Saudi’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan, taps into the nation’s booming gaming culture and billion dollar industry ambitions. Here is to a future where playtime means serious success.
For more information regarding updates from the Ministry of Education, visit the website below:
Further Reading:
- Saudi Arabia Opens School Performance Data to Parents in Landmark Move
- Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Agenda and the African Opportunity Ahead