The following terms are defined as follows:
Foreign Schools: These are schools that implement educational curricula other than the Saudi curricula.
Minister: The Minister of Education.
Ministry: The Ministry of Education.
These Regulations shall regulate international schools of communities residing in the Kingdom so as to provide adequate education to children according to specific guidelines in a manner which enables them to pursue their education upon their return to their countries.
The Ministry shall, through the relevant department, license and supervise international schools and their branches.
International schools are private educational institutions which are financed by tuition fees, donations, and gifts.
Saudi students may not be admitted to foreign schools, except for those who, due to necessity, must enroll in them, specifically students coming from abroad whose academic circumstances prevent them from joining Saudi schools, provided that this is done with the Minister's approval for a duration determined by the circumstances of each student each year.
A license for an international school shall be granted pursuant to the Minister’s approval upon the recommendation of the Supervisory Council provided for in Article 8 of these Regulations.
Education at international schools shall be limited to pre-school, elementary, intermediate, and secondary stages, or their equivalent.
A council shall be formed to supervise foreign schools, chaired by the Minister, and consisting of the following members:
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education.
Undersecretary of the General Presidency for Girls' Education.
The supervisor of foreign schools at the Ministry shall serve as the Secretary of the Council.
The Supervisory Council shall establish the necessary instructions and rules for the implementation of this Regulation, and it shall specifically have the authority to approve the following:
1- The rules and procedures necessary for granting licenses.
2- The applications submitted for the opening of foreign schools.
3- The educational programs and curricula.
4- The tuition fees.
5- The donations and grants provided to foreign schools.
The Council shall consider the embassy's request to purchase a school building or land for establishing a school for the children of its community – referred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – based on the principle of reciprocity, taking into account the following:
1- What is stated in this Regulation.
2- The land must not be government-owned or designated for an educational facility.
3- The registration of the land ownership - after approval - must be in the name of the embassy, and it must not be used for purposes other than the licensed purpose.
The Council shall decide on the embassy's request within thirty days from the date of fulfilling the required conditions, and then it shall be submitted to the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the event that the purpose of the school is concluded or its license is revoked, the Council shall supervise the liquidation of the school, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The Supervisory Council shall convene at least twice a year, and it may convene upon the call of its chairman or at the request of one of its members and the approval of the chairman.