Saudi Arabia approves physical education for girls in state schools

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education (MoE) in July 2017 finally approved a physical education program at girls’ schools starting in the coming academic year.

Education Minister Ahmed Al-Issa issued a decree on 11 July 2017. The program will be compliant with Islamic rules and will be implemented in the 2017-2018 school year.

The decision comes after three months of intensive studies by a specialized team commissioned by the minister to review all directives and recommendations in this regard.

Al-Issa’s decision includes the formation of a supervisory committee to implement the program, headed by Haya bint Abdul Aziz Al-Awwad, the undersecretary of education for girls.

The committee will prepare a document containing objectives and performance indicators for the program, in addition to preparing an interim operational plan and working with universities.

The move is a step forward in boosting sporting activities among all members of Saudi society, one of the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan.

About Saudi Vision 2030

• Saudi Vision 2030 is a plan to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism.

• Its details were announced on 25 April 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

• Under the vision, Saudi Arabia will work to transform the Saudi Public Investment Fund to sovereign fund assets valued at USD 2.5 trillion, making it the largest global sovereign fund.

• The vision aims to increase non-oil revenue six-fold from about USD 43.5 billion annually to USD 267 billion.

• The country will offer less than 5 per cent of the national oil company Aramco in a public offering on the stock exchange, and will allocate the proceeds of this IPO to finance the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

• The Kingdom is also planning to increase the number of pilgrims every year from 8 million to 80 million by 2030.

• It will also set up the largest Islamic museum in the world, which will be based in Riyadh, to provide an opportunity for non-Muslims to visit.

• Saudi Vision 2030 aims to increase the participation of women in the labour market from 22 per cent to 30 per cent.