Saudi Arabia Launches Music Education in Schools to Foster Creativity

The Saudi Arabian government has taken a major step by introducing music education at the school level as part of the country’s initiative to develop arts and culture. The goal is to familiarize children with music and the arts from an early age and to cultivate long-term creative talent.

The country’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture have jointly begun training thousands of teachers in music education. Special attention has been given to female teachers in kindergartens and primary schools. According to Saudi media, in the first phase, which began at the end of 2022, more than 12,000 female teachers from public and private kindergartens received training.

The second phase has now commenced, aiming to professionally train an additional 17,000 female teachers in music education. This training program is part of the ‘Cultural Competency Development Strategy,’ designed to support the development of children’s creativity. Gulf News reports that the training primarily focuses on singing, rhythm, basic musical instruments, and teaching local folk music.

Music teachers will be responsible for conducting music lessons for children at kindergarten and primary school levels. Students will learn singing, instrument use, and basic music theory. The objective is to enhance creativity, emotional expression, and cultural understanding among young learners.

Among the Saudi government’s cultural initiatives, a notable development was the establishment of the first College of Arts at King Saud University in Riyadh in February 2023. The college provides opportunities for research, innovation, and higher education in music and fine arts. Advanced courses have also been introduced to encourage talented students.

To further develop the music sector, the Saudi Ministry of Culture established the ‘Music Commission’ in 2020. The commission’s mission is to ensure equal opportunities in music education, encourage young talent, and integrate music into the country’s economy and social life.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable social change. The country regularly hosts concerts, theater festivals, film screenings, and cultural competitions. This rise in arts and entertainment is seen as a symbol of transformation in the nation’s social and cultural landscape.