Islamic Education in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Saudi Arabian education system is unique in certain regards: (i) it emphasizes and is informed by the Islamic tarbīyah; (ii) it is highly centralized; and (iii) it has separate schools for boys and girls. Until 2002, the Ministry of Education managed education for boys, while girls’ education was managed by the General Directorate for Girls’ Education. Since 2002, however, these two entities have been merged and all formal, state run schools are run according to the same curriculum. This chapter provides an overview of the historical development of Islamic education in Saudi Arabia and the different types of Islamic education institutions and arrangements that exist today in the country, from primary education through the higher education.