ETEC Honors 659 Schools at Tamayuz 2026 Forum

The Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) honored 659 public, private, and international schools on November 2, 2026, at the conclusion of the third National Forum for School Excellence, “Tamayuz 2026,” held in Riyadh. The ceremony, attended by Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and ETEC Board of Directors Chairman Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Sabti, recognized schools that achieved excellence under the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation. The event underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to elevating educational quality and aligning with Vision 2030 goals. How does this recognition shape the future of Saudi education?

The forum, organized by ETEC, highlights the Kingdom’s systematic efforts to foster high-quality educational performance and improve learning outcomes across all regions. It brings together educators, administrators, and policymakers to celebrate achievements and share best practices. The 659 honored schools represent a diverse mix of public, private, and international institutions, reflecting the inclusive nature of Saudi Arabia’s educational reform. This annual event has become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s strategy to build a world-class education system that prepares students for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

Context and Background

Why has Saudi Arabia placed such a strong emphasis on school evaluation and accreditation? The National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation is a key component of the Saudi model for quality in education and training. Launched as part of the broader Vision 2030 reform agenda, the program provides objective data and indicators on school performance, enabling institutions to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This evidence-based approach ensures that development efforts are targeted and effective, leading to sustainable educational impact. The program’s rigorous methodology has set a new standard for accountability and continuous improvement in the Kingdom’s education sector.

Over the years, the program has expanded its reach significantly. Evaluation specialists have visited more than 2,200 cities, towns, and villages, ensuring that even remote communities benefit from quality assessments. The program has recorded over 1.3 million classroom observation forms and conducted more than one million interviews with students and school staff. Additionally, it has completed over 235,000 school environment observation forms and more than 230,000 school document analysis forms. These extensive data collection efforts provide a comprehensive understanding of schools’ conditions and needs, supporting the development of improvement plans based on evidence and data.

The program has also leveraged technology to gather feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. More than 10.5 million questionnaires have been distributed among students, teachers, and families, encouraging participation from all educational stakeholders. This inclusive approach ensures that the evaluation process captures diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility for educational outcomes. By engaging the entire school community, the program not only assesses performance but also builds a foundation for continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Details

What specific achievements were celebrated at Tamayuz 2026? During the forum, Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to recognizing educational excellence and highlighted the strong partnership with ETEC. He noted that more than 1,000 schools had been honored in previous years, with another 659 schools recognized this year. He added that the number of schools at the excellence and progress levels had risen to approximately 14,000 in recent years, reflecting significant improvement across the education system. This upward trend demonstrates the effectiveness of the evaluation program in driving positive change.

The 659 honored schools were selected based on their performance in the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation. The program assesses schools across multiple dimensions, including teaching quality, student outcomes, school environment, and leadership. Schools that achieve excellence are those that demonstrate outstanding performance and a commitment to continuous improvement. The recognition serves as both a reward for their efforts and an incentive for others to strive for higher standards. The forum also provided a platform for sharing best practices and success stories, fostering a culture of excellence that extends beyond individual schools.

Capacity building has been a central focus of the program. More than 27,000 school principals have benefited from online training in self-evaluation, equipping them with the skills to lead improvement initiatives within their schools. The number of school evaluation specialists has exceeded 2,500, ensuring the quality of evaluation processes and enabling schools to assess their own performance, set development priorities, and monitor the outcomes of improvement initiatives. This investment in human capital is essential for sustaining long-term educational reform and ensuring that schools have the internal capacity to drive change.

International and Regional Impact

How does Saudi Arabia’s educational progress resonate beyond its borders? The Kingdom’s systematic approach to school evaluation and accreditation has garnered international attention as a model for educational reform. By sharing its experiences and best practices, Saudi Arabia contributes to global efforts to improve education quality and equity. The Tamayuz forum itself serves as a platform for international dialogue, attracting educators and policymakers from around the world who are interested in learning from the Kingdom’s success. This exchange of knowledge enhances Saudi Arabia’s standing as a leader in education and supports its broader diplomatic and soft power objectives.

Regionally, the program’s achievements inspire neighboring countries to adopt similar evaluation frameworks. The focus on data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement aligns with international best practices and contributes to the development of a skilled workforce that can compete in the global economy. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in education, it strengthens its position as a hub for innovation and talent in the Middle East. The recognition of 659 schools at Tamayuz 2026 sends a powerful message that the Kingdom is serious about achieving world-class education standards and is willing to share its journey with the international community.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What economic benefits arise from improving school quality? A high-performing education system is critical for economic diversification and growth, key pillars of Vision 2030. By ensuring that students receive a quality education, Saudi Arabia is building a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and productivity in sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and tourism. The National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation helps identify gaps and direct resources to where they are most needed, maximizing the return on investment in education. This strategic approach is essential for reducing dependence on oil and creating a sustainable knowledge-based economy.

Furthermore, the emphasis on continuous improvement and accountability fosters a culture of excellence that extends beyond the classroom. Schools that excel become models for others, creating a ripple effect that elevates the entire education system. The program’s data-driven approach also enables policymakers to make informed decisions about resource allocation and policy development. As more schools achieve excellence, the overall quality of education improves, leading to better outcomes for students and, ultimately, for the nation. The economic and strategic significance of these efforts cannot be overstated, as they lay the foundation for a prosperous and diversified future.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does Tamayuz 2026 contribute to Vision 2030? The forum and the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation are directly aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of developing a world-class education system that prepares students for the future. By recognizing and rewarding excellence, the program incentivizes schools to continuously improve and innovate. This aligns with the Vision’s emphasis on building a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The investment in education is an investment in Saudi Arabia’s greatest resource: its people.

As the Kingdom continues its journey toward Vision 2030, events like Tamayuz 2026 serve as milestones that measure progress and inspire further achievement. The 659 honored schools represent the best of Saudi education, and their success stories will encourage others to strive for excellence. With sustained commitment from the government, educators, and the community, Saudi Arabia is well on its way to achieving its ambitious educational goals. The future looks bright, and the recognition of these schools is a testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to excellence and its unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives and societies.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Tamayuz 2026 forum?

A1. Tamayuz 2026 is the third edition of the National Forum for School Excellence, organized by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) in Riyadh. It honors schools that achieve excellence under the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation.

Q2. How many schools were honored at Tamayuz 2026?

A2. A total of 659 public, private, and international schools were honored at Tamayuz 2026 for their outstanding performance in the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation.

Q3. Who attended the Tamayuz 2026 forum?

A3. The event was attended by Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and ETEC Board of Directors Chairman Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Sabti, along with other education officials and stakeholders.

Q4. What is the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation?

A4. It is a program under ETEC that provides objective data and indicators on school performance, enabling schools to identify strengths and areas for improvement and direct development efforts toward sustainable educational impact.

Q5. How many schools have been honored in previous years?

A5. More than 1,000 schools had been honored in previous years, according to Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.

Q6. How many schools are at the excellence and progress levels?

A6. Approximately 14,000 schools have reached the excellence and progress levels in recent years, reflecting significant improvement across the education system.

Q7. How many cities, towns, and villages have evaluation specialists visited?

A7. Evaluation specialists have visited more than 2,200 cities, towns, and villages across Saudi Arabia as part of the evaluation program.

Q8. How many classroom observation forms have been recorded?

A8. The program has recorded more than 1.3 million classroom observation forms, providing valuable insights into teaching practices and student learning.

Q9. How many interviews with students and school staff have been conducted?

A9. Over one million interviews with students and school staff have been conducted to gather feedback and assess school performance.

Q10. How many school environment observation forms have been completed?

A10. More than 235,000 school environment observation forms have been completed, helping evaluate the physical and social conditions of schools.

Q11. How many school document analysis forms have been completed?

A11. Over 230,000 school document analysis forms have been completed, ensuring a thorough review of school policies and practices.

Q12. How many questionnaires have been distributed to stakeholders?

A12. More than 10.5 million questionnaires have been distributed among students, teachers, and families to encourage participation in evaluating school performance.

Q13. How many school principals have benefited from online training?

A13. More than 27,000 school principals have benefited from online training in self-evaluation, enhancing their ability to lead improvement initiatives.

Q14. How many school evaluation specialists are there?

A14. The number of school evaluation specialists has exceeded 2,500, ensuring the quality of evaluation processes and supporting schools in self-assessment.

Q15. What is the purpose of the National Program for School Evaluation, Classification, and Accreditation?

A15. The program aims to provide objective data on school performance, identify areas for improvement, and drive sustainable educational impact through evidence-based planning.

Q16. How does the program engage stakeholders?

A16. The program engages stakeholders through millions of questionnaires distributed to students, teachers, and families, ensuring their voices are heard in the evaluation process.

Q17. What is the significance of the Tamayuz forum?

A17. The Tamayuz forum recognizes outstanding schools, promotes high-quality educational performance, and fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across Saudi Arabia’s education sector.

Q18. How does the program support capacity building?

A18. The program supports capacity building by training school principals in self-evaluation and deploying over 2,500 evaluation specialists to ensure quality and enable schools to assess their own performance.

Q19. What impact has the program had on Saudi education?

A19. The program has led to significant improvements, with approximately 14,000 schools now at excellence and progress levels, reflecting the program’s effectiveness in driving positive change.

Q20. How does Tamayuz 2026 align with Vision 2030?

A20. Tamayuz 2026 aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting a world-class education system that prepares students for the future, supporting the Kingdom’s goals of economic diversification and sustainable development.

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