In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Number: 5/3/32/1488
Dated: 30 Sha‘bān 1374 A.H.
From Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
To our esteemed brother Faisal, may God preserve him,
Peace be upon you.
Since education in all sciences and fields of study is a duty we owe to our sons, and because the recent trend of sending our children abroad under the pretext of seeking knowledge has caused great harm to their religious and moral principles, we have resolved—by God’s help and strength—to provide all means necessary for the success of students and the completion of their studies within the country.
We have therefore ordered the establishment of suitable schools, and indeed we have prepared them, and they are now nearing completion.
Accordingly, inform the Minister of Education that he must bring in qualified teachers in all fields of knowledge so that primary and secondary education may take place within the Kingdom at the beginning of the coming school year, and that all preparations must be completed before the academic year begins.
We further order that none of our sons or subjects remain enrolled in primary or secondary schools abroad, in protection of their interests and their faith. No one is exempt from this—neither great nor small—except one who wishes to renounce Saudi nationality, for that is his personal choice.
No person shall be permitted to educate his child abroad unless the student is entering a foreign university to pursue advanced sciences not yet available in the Kingdom. Even then, the moral conduct and religious commitment of university students must be verified before they are allowed to travel.
Education for all will be free of charge, funded by us, and students shall continue to receive the stipends they previously received.
As Chairman of the Council of Ministers, you must implement this order with utmost urgency—whether in bringing teachers and senior instructors, securing equipment, or informing the public at the end of the school year so that everyone may prepare accordingly.
We ask God to grant them success and achievement in serving their country and their nation.
Peace.