The Saudi Ministry of Education has announced the start of accepting transfer requests for current teaching staff for the current academic year through the "Fursah" program, available via the "Faris" electronic system. Applications opened today, Tuesday, and will continue until the 17th of Sha'ban, giving teachers ample time to submit their applications and review their information.
This year's transfer process is governed by a set of precise regulations and conditions aimed at ensuring stability in schools and guaranteeing the quality of the educational process. These measures are part of the Ministry's strategy to manage human resources in a way that serves the overall educational interest while simultaneously fulfilling teachers' legitimate transfer requests.
General context of the educational transfer movement
The annual teacher transfer process is one of the most important administrative procedures organized by the Ministry of Education. Through this process, the Ministry strives to achieve a delicate balance between fulfilling teachers' personal desires for family and social stability and ensuring the continuity and quality of the educational process across the Kingdom's various regions and cities. Over the years, transfer mechanisms have undergone significant development, transitioning from traditional paper-based procedures to integrated electronic systems such as the "Faris" system. This system aims to enhance transparency and fairness and streamline procedures for all Ministry employees, aligning with the goals of digital transformation and the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Key transfer requirements for the current year
The ministry has established a strict set of requirements to ensure the achievement of its objectives, and among the most prominent of these requirements are:
- Prohibition of repeated transfers: The applicant is not entitled to request a transfer if he has benefited from a previous job opportunity or transfer, unless five full years have passed since the date he started that opportunity.
- Regulations specific to contractors: The Ministry prohibited teachers appointed under the “regulatory contracts” system from applying for transfer opportunities outside the scope of the educational administration to which they currently belong, and restricted their movement to the internal sectors of the same administration.
- Job performance evaluation: The ministry stipulated that the applicant must have a job performance evaluation for the last two academic years, excluding any teacher who is still in the probationary period.
- Qualifications and specialization: The applicant must possess all the required qualifications and specialization requirements for the available opportunity.
The importance and expected impact of the new measures
These strict regulations aim to address one of the biggest challenges facing the education system: the frequent teacher turnover that can negatively impact school stability. Job security for the teaching staff is a cornerstone of successful educational plans and of building a strong relationship between teachers, their students, and their school environment. At the local level, these measures are expected to reduce teacher turnover in remote schools and enhance the quality of educational outcomes. These steps align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes developing and improving the efficiency of the education sector by building a stable and qualified teaching workforce that effectively contributes to achieving sustainable development.
Categories excluded from applying
The regulations explicitly excluded six categories from competing for transportation opportunities, namely:
- Those sent abroad for study.
- Those sent to teach or study.
- Those who have obtained study or exceptional leave.
- Those on loan to other entities.
- Those who are blind and unable to work.
- Those excluded from teaching.
The ministry called on all male and female teachers wishing to transfer to carefully review their data through the “Faris” system and make sure that the conditions apply to them before confirming their requests, wishing everyone success.
