Saudi Arabia to begin English classes from first grade in 2021

Riyadh - The move will ensure that Saudi students are well equipped with the knowledge they need to pursue future careers.

Saudi Arabia will provide English language classes to first graders in the next academic year, introducing language instruction much earlier than in previous years, the Kingdom's Minister of Education Hamad bin Mohammed Al Asheikh said in an interview on Al Ekhbariyah TV.
As reported by Al Arabiya, currently English language classes are only offered in public schools in the country from grade six.
The move will ensure that Saudi Arabian students are well equipped with the knowledge they need to pursue future careers, as well as provide them with the ability to compete within the international job market, the minister said.
"The aim [of these changes] is to benefit students and the future citizen who will graduate [to become] a person who can compete internationally, and who has the qualifications [to do so]," Al Asheikh said.
The ministry will also be introducing other changes, according to the minister, including approving five new science and mathematics courses.
Four of the five courses will be introduced to all public schools across the Kingdom, while the fifth will only be offered in major schools around the country.
E-learning will also start from the fourth grade, he said.

• Saudi Arabia