Ministries of Higher Education and Education: Aligning secondary school tracks with the external scholarship plan

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Badr Al-Busairi, held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Khaled Al-Rashid, to discuss the track system in the secondary stage, the regulations governing the tracks to be implemented starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, and their alignment with the external scholarship plan and admission requirements for the majors and universities included therein. Dr. Al-Busairi emphasized that the meeting comes within the framework of early coordination between the Ministries of Higher Education and Education, ensuring that the tracks chosen by students during the secondary stage align with the requirements for completing their university studies, particularly the admission conditions for the external scholarship plan and various majors. He clarified that both parties discussed the track regulations and their academic options, as well as their impact on the educational opportunities available to students after graduating from secondary school, thereby providing students with a clear vision when selecting their track and avoiding any challenges that might affect their future academic choices or their chances of enrolling in their desired major. Dr. Al-Busairi stressed that the student’s interest is the priority in any coordination or joint measures between the two sides, emphasizing the importance of students’ choices in the secondary stage being based on a clear understanding of the future university opportunities and tracks available to them. He pointed out that technical coordination between the Ministries of Higher Education and Education will continue to study all aspects related to the implementation of the track system, ensuring integration between the secondary and university stages and guaranteeing clarity of options for students and their parents from an early stage. The meeting was attended by the Assistant Deputy Minister for Missions, Equivalencies, and Cultural Relations at the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Faisal Al-Adwani; the Assistant Deputy Minister for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education, Engineer Hamad Al-Hamad; the Director General of Educational Areas, Mohammed Al-Wazan; the Director General of Guidance, Research, and Curricula, Mohammed Al-Otaibi; and the Supervisor of the Planning and Admissions Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, Mishaari Saleh. In a related development, an expanded coordination meeting will be held between the Ministry of Higher Education, represented by its academic institutions, and the General Secretariat of the Council of Private Universities, along with the Ministry of Education, to discuss aspects related to the track system and university admission requirements, ensuring integration among the relevant entities and guaranteeing clarity of educational options for students, driven by a commitment to their best interests and support for their academic journey.