Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Aug 27: In a major step towards modernizing its education system, Saudi Arabia has introduced Tourism and Hospitality as a core subject for third-grade secondary students from this academic year, alongside Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, First Aid, and Fashion Studies, in line with Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, announced that the new subject will follow a self-learning model, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to meet the demands of the Kingdom’s growing tourism sector.

The curriculum, developed by the National Curriculum Center (NCC), will cover Saudi Arabia’s tourism resources, sustainable practices, marketing, entrepreneurship, and the role of Vision 2030 in shaping the industry. “This program will give students the knowledge and skills they need to support the growth of tourism in Saudi Arabia and help achieve the goals of Vision 2030,” the NCC stated.

Education reforms also extend beyond textbooks, with learning experiences integrated into school activities, events, and project-based tasks. Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, CEO of the NCC, said: “The curriculum is no longer confined to textbooks, but encompasses all student experiences.”

Other subjects such as AI, Cybersecurity, Fashion and Design (for female students), and First Aid have been designed in partnership with specialized authorities to ensure practical relevance. Meanwhile, language learning has been expanded, with Chinese and English curriculum updates, along with structured Qur’anic studies and nursery stage reforms.

The NCC has also committed to forging partnerships with the private sector for content licensing and efficient distribution, marking this as one of the most comprehensive education overhauls in the Kingdom’s history.