The Education and Training Evaluation Commission in Saudi Arabia announced proposed fundamental amendments to the regulations for professional licenses for educational jobs, stressing that a teacher who does not apply to renew his professional license within two years of its expiry date will have his current license cancelled, and his application will be treated as a new issuance application that requires fulfilling all conditions, including undergoing professional tests again.
Historical background and development context
This measure comes in the context of the major transformations taking place in the education sector in the Kingdom, which fall under the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the Vision, the government has paid great attention to raising the quality of education outcomes, and one of its most prominent initiatives was the establishment of the professional license system for teachers, which began to be applied mandatorily in July 2021. This system aimed to set unified professional standards for all workers in the education sector, measure their efficiency and ability to perform their tasks effectively, and move education from being just a job to a professional profession that requires continuous development and evaluation.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
The significance of this decision lies in its reinforcement of the principle of “lifelong learning” for teachers, emphasizing that obtaining a license is not the end goal, but rather the beginning of a professional journey that requires continuous updating of knowledge and skills. Locally , this measure is expected to contribute to raising the level of professional discipline among teachers and motivating them to keep abreast of educational and technological developments, which will positively impact the quality of classroom performance and improve students' academic achievement. Furthermore, it standardizes procedures and ensures fairness for all practitioners of the profession.
Regionally , this step reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader in reforming and developing education systems. The Saudi model for professional licensing and continuous development could become a benchmark for other countries in the region to adopt to ensure the quality of their teaching staff. Internationally , this approach aligns with global best practices in teacher licensing, which links continuity of licensing to adherence to specific professional development hours and periodic evaluations, thus enhancing the credibility and reputation of the Saudi education system worldwide.
Additional details about the controls
The authority clarified that allowing renewal applications during the final year of the license's validity gives teachers ample time to meet the requirements without any professional interruption. It emphasized that exceeding the two-year period after the license expires is interpreted as a break in regulated professional practice, necessitating a reassessment of competency through approved tests. This regulation is part of a broader set of amendments that the authority has released for public consultation, inviting stakeholders and specialists in the educational field to submit their views and feedback to enrich the project before its final adoption.
