By Dr. Mohammed Abu Bakr Hameed
King Fahd bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—recounted in a speech delivered in the city of Hafar Al‑Batin on 21/9/1415 AH the story of his appointment as Minister of Education and the conversation that took place between him and His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—regarding this matter. King Fahd said:
“When King Saud—may God forgive him and have mercy on him—wanted to form a government, he summoned me and others for consultation. He asked me: ‘We want to form a government, and I would like to know what position you personally desire?’
I replied: ‘By God, Your Majesty—may God forgive you and have mercy on you—if it were up to me, I would like to be Minister of Education. But if you command me otherwise, I will obey.’”
Fahd bin Abdulaziz: The First Minister of Education
King Saud granted Prince Fahd’s wish—perhaps knowing that this would have been King Abdulaziz’s desire had he lived longer. On 18/4/1373 AH (24 December 1953), King Saud issued Royal Decree No. 5/3/26/2150, establishing the Ministry of Education and appointing Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as its first minister.
From that moment, King Saud began laying the foundations of education at all levels for both boys and girls. He expanded the establishment of regional education departments to support development across the Kingdom, and he focused on opening schools in every city and village. After the ministry’s founding, the number of students rose to around 10,000, and the country soon had a university and several colleges. King Saud also paid great attention to foreign scholarships in all fields, sending Saudi students to centers of learning around the world.
When King Abdulaziz—may God rest his soul—passed away, the Directorate of Education oversaw about 43 primary schools, four secondary schools, the Preparatory School for Scholarships, and the Saudi Scientific Institute. After the establishment of the Ministry of Education early in King Saud’s reign, the number of schools increased from 326 under the Directorate to more than 600 educational institutions (primary, intermediate, secondary, and teacher institutes) by 1380 AH, not including other educational bodies.
The total number of educational institutions rose to 712, the number of students to 104,203, and the number of teachers to 4,940. Intermediate schools increased to 36, with 5,437 students and 262 teachers. Secondary schools multiplied, and their student numbers grew severalfold.
A Period of Major Educational Expansion
The Ministry of Education expanded significantly in its mission to spread knowledge. Education became accessible to all during King Saud’s reign, particularly under Minister Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz (18/4/1373 AH to 3/7/1380 AH). The numbers testify to the achievements:
- Ministry budget in 1374 AH: 45,671,592 riyals
- Ministry budget in 1377 AH: 87,000,000 riyals
- Ministry budget in 1380 AH: 137,012,200 riyals
King Saud’s vision for expanding education resulted in:
- 406 primary schools
- 79 intermediate schools
- 26 secondary schools
- 18 teacher institutes
- 5 agricultural and industrial institutes
These were added to the 226 schools that existed under the Directorate of Education. King Saud paid close attention to teachers’ conditions, educational materials, school buildings, laboratories, and classrooms, often conducting unannounced visits to inspect facilities personally.
Girls’ Education Under King Saud
King Saud began promoting girls’ education during his father’s reign by educating his own daughters. He established the Institute of Al‑Karimat inside his palace in Al‑Nasiriyyah, just as he had earlier established the Institute of Al‑Anjal for boys. These were the first model schools in the history of Najd.
After ascending the throne and establishing the Ministry of Education, girls’ education became part of the ministry’s responsibilities. King Saud crowned his efforts by issuing the royal decree officially opening girls’ schools on 21 Rabi‘ Al‑Thani 1379 AH.
Girls’ education began with the establishment of the first Teachers’ Institute for Women in 1380 AH, followed by the opening of 15 primary schools for girls in the 1380–1381 academic year.
Teacher Preparation and Educational Diversification
King Saud’s era witnessed a new phase in teacher preparation with the nationwide expansion of secondary education. The Ministry of Education also took its first step toward diversifying education by establishing the Industrial School.
Within the first four years of the ministry:
- Primary school students reached 27,479
- Secondary school students reached 4,811
- Industrial education students reached 452
- Literacy schools opened for the first time, enrolling 5,443 learners
Prince Fahd’s Eight Educational Objectives Under King Saud
In an article published in Al‑Manhal magazine (Muharram–Safar 1375 AH), Prince Fahd outlined King Saud’s educational strategy, which he implemented during his tenure:
- Establishing five schools funded personally by King Saud, meeting all health and educational standards.
- Expanding primary education across all cities, villages, and desert regions to combat illiteracy.
- Expanding secondary schools as a prelude to establishing theoretical colleges and the anticipated Saudi university.
- Increasing teacher institutes, night schools, and industrial, agricultural, and commercial schools.
- Considering the establishment of kindergartens across the Kingdom.
- Expanding foreign scholarships in all fields.
- Launching a project to encourage authorship and promote cultural development.
- Preparing for the establishment of the Saudi university, with work to proceed quietly and steadily.
King Fahd’s Testimony on Vocational Education Under King Saud
Prince Fahd wrote about the ministry’s efforts to expand education and emphasized the importance of scholarships:
“The Ministry of Education has worked to raise the level of education at all stages. It expanded primary schools, spread secondary education, and established ten new secondary schools this year. It also focused on vocational education, establishing industrial schools equipped with all necessary machinery. The ministry founded institutes to train national teachers and sent students abroad to specialize in fields beneficial to the country.”
King Saud’s Donation of Seven Palaces for Education
In the same article, Prince Fahd testified to King Saud’s immense support for education, noting that he donated seven of his palaces in Jeddah—later known as King Saud Scientific City—to be converted into schools.
Prince Fahd wrote:
“The King donated the palaces he lived in at Jeddah to become schools for the people. A secondary school and a primary school were opened in these palaces, along with a boarding section for 200 students. The Teachers’ College and the Industrial School were moved there.
The ministry furnished these schools with modern equipment, provided comfort for students, and brought in strong teachers. A health unit was established, and large halls were prepared for lectures and a major library.
The Ministry of Education considers itself still at the beginning of the road despite the great strides it has made. I ask God to grant it success and to preserve King Saud bin Abdulaziz, the patron and supporter of knowledge.”
King Fahd’s Testimony on King Saud’s Achievements in General and Higher Education**
In an article by Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz published in Al‑Manhal magazine (Jumada I 1377 AH, pp. 309–311), Prince Fahd—who served as Minister of Education during the reign of King Saud—continued praising King Saud’s efforts in supporting the educational renaissance. He wrote:
“The efforts of King Saud have left their blessed impact on strengthening this renaissance, whose fruits included the establishment of dozens of primary and secondary schools, the founding of the Colleges of Sharia and Teachers, the establishment of the Scientific Institute in Riyadh, the Saudi institutes, and Dar al‑Tawhid… as well as sending students abroad—whose effects we have witnessed and whose fruits the country has reaped in the formation of doctors, pharmacists, administrators, engineers, craftsmen, and experts in agriculture, minerals, and geology, among others.
The establishment of the Ministry of Education was, God willing, a prelude to reaching the desired heights, fulfilling the aspirations of the nation and achieving its bright hopes through God’s grace and success.”
Regarding his planning to expand education in the Kingdom to the level of establishing a university—a dream he had long envisioned—Prince Fahd wrote in the same article:
“I am currently studying the plans and arrangements that will, God willing, elevate our Ministry of Education to the ranks of its counterparts in the Arab world in terms of comprehensive educational advancement in depth and excellence. I ask God for success in achieving what we all aspire to.
My foremost concern is strengthening higher and technical education within the country, so that history may repeat itself and we may add new glory to our ancient legacy. Therefore, among the matters I am earnestly committed to is the establishment of the ‘Saudi University’ with its colleges, institutes, and laboratories on a strong and well‑supported foundation.
I am also keen on expanding primary education throughout the country so that illiteracy may be eradicated from both urban and rural areas.”
Indeed, the first university in the Kingdom was established during King Saud’s reign: King Saud University, founded by Royal Decree No. 17 dated 21/4/1377 AH. In 1380 AH, the Islamic University in Madinah was established as a global Islamic institution. From its founding, King Fahd served as its Supreme President until the Higher Education Council Law (No. M/8) was issued on 4/6/1414 AH.
Recognizing that universities alone could not meet the nation’s developmental needs for qualified citizens, King Saud sent numerous scholarship students abroad—particularly to Egypt, the United States, Britain, and other countries.
A Historic Letter from King Fahd on King Saud’s Support for Education
On the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Education, the ministry issued a documentary book in 1376 AH. It opened with a message from Minister of Education Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz addressed to King Saud. It read:
**“1 Muharram 1376 AH
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
My lord, His Majesty King Saud bin Abdulaziz—may God support him
Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings
Among your noble teachings to us—your sons and your people—is that a person should hold himself accountable from time to time, reviewing his projects and goals to see what has been achieved and how to complete the rest.
When I attempted to do so regarding the Ministry of Education, which you have honored me by entrusting to me, I found that a large portion of its projects had been completed and the rest were near completion. A sense of pride almost crept into my heart for this remarkable success achieved by the ministry in such a short time.
But I remembered, Your Majesty, your care and constant vigilance in supporting this ministry, providing it with vast resources and precious trust. All of this has made the ministry’s achievements easy and attainable.
Your wise guidance lies behind every successful project and every accomplished step in the ministry’s work. Four years ago, you recognized the need to strengthen the educational system and ordered its transformation from a directorate into a ministry. Since then, it has received your full support and care.
Your sacrifices in supporting the Ministry of Education shine like suns in the sky of the educational renaissance you lead. Every loyal citizen remembers the generous acts you bestowed upon the ministry at the right time, enabling it to follow the path you set for it.
When your sons returned from abroad to study in their homeland, it was impossible to prepare large schools to accommodate them. Yet you, Your Majesty, granted the ministry the magnificent complex you lived in at Jeddah, giving it willingly to your sons, who appreciated this noble gesture.
You also gifted numerous royal palaces in Makkah and Riyadh to become fountains of knowledge. You did not stop at material support; you honored student scouting and sports festivals with your presence, bringing joy to your sons. Even Saudi students abroad feel your fatherly care wherever you go.
Your generosity toward education has reached schools inside the Kingdom and beyond. Many schools and universities in the Arab and Islamic world still live on your grants and donations.
I cannot list all your noble gestures toward the Ministry of Education. For every one I write, dozens come to mind. And every moment, Your Majesty adds another immortal deed to that list.
Only two days ago, the Kingdom celebrated the opening of the first university in the Arabian Peninsula—an eternal achievement, a shining page in your illustrious history.
And weeks ago, when some young men asked your permission to establish kindergartens at their own expense, you ordered that this type of education be officially introduced and expanded at the state’s expense. Thus, young children received the same care and compassion you extend to their elders.
Your servant,
Fahd bin Abdulaziz”**
Educational and Islamic Pioneering Achievements of King Saud
The reign of King Saud—may God have mercy on him—witnessed numerous firsts:
- The first official introduction of kindergarten education in Saudi history
- The first inclusion of health care and physical education in all schools
- The first state‑supported scouting, social, cultural, and recreational programs
- The first recruitment of foreign educational experts and consultants
- The first national educational conference in Saudi history, attended by education directors, inspectors, and administrators to discuss the challenges and aspirations of education in the Kingdom
King Saud also gave special attention to:
- Qur’an memorization schools, encouraging their spread
- Public libraries, book printing, and distribution
- Religious education, establishing specialized institutes
- Mosque construction and renovation
- Supporting the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
- The first major expansion of the Two Holy Mosques in modern history
In the final two years of his reign, King Saud appointed Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz as Minister of Interior in 1382 AH after seven years as Minister of Education. Prince Fahd implemented King Saud’s security policies with excellence. The government strengthened coastal security along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf by establishing the Coast Guard. King Saud also emphasized internal security and the preparation of national cadres, leading to the opening of numerous police academies run by qualified officers.