The Education Department in Riyadh plans to conduct international tests for fourth grade students in 22 boys’ and 13 girls’ schools, making it the first region to apply international educational testing in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was taken in a meeting of Hamad Al-Shineiber, deputy director-general of the Riyadh education department, and officials, local media reported on Saturday.

Al-Shineiber was quoted as saying that the committees comprise educational supervisors, trainers and test administrators, in addition to those in the evaluation field.

The committee has drawn up a long-term plan for training on skills related to the tests at all schools, as a trial for the expected rollout of the testing among all schools next year.

“These international tests are held every four years and aim to increase the level of achievement among pupils in science, maths and reading. The tests reflect the changes at home, school and in the wider environment that the student is living in, in addition to developing teaching methods and learning processes,” Al-Shineiber said.

Meanwhile, Al-Shineiber launched the “Protectors of the Nation” exhibition on Thursday.

The aim of the week-long exhibition is to make youngsters aware of the negative ideas that they may be subjected to.

Additionally, the expo will seek to better define the roles of security and government agencies in the protection of the nation, as well as the role of the family in directing their sons and daughters toward good paths.

In a statement, the Education Department said that the exhibition targets pupils in the intermediate and secondary levels of schooling and their parents, and invites the participation of the Intellectual and Moral Guidance Administration of the Public Security Department, its public relations section, along with public security officials, among others.

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