Riyadh – Badr Al‑Khuraif
King Saud bin Abdulaziz laid the first foundation stone for education in his country during the reign of his father, the Founder, when he was Crown Prince, and continued after assuming full authority as King. The second monarch of the Saudi state inscribed his name as the first patron of education in the young nation by establishing an institute named after his sons and daughters—though it was open to all children of the country—some 65 years ago. King Saud later crowned his efforts by issuing, 54 years ago, a royal decree establishing a dedicated Ministry of Education (Wizarat al‑Ma‘arif) to oversee all educational affairs in the Kingdom and elevate education to a level befitting the nation.
Under this royal decree, Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz was appointed Minister of the new ministry. King Saud also founded the first university in his country, which bore his name—King Saud University—and opened the door widely for the establishment of schools and industrial, agricultural, commercial, and religious institutes across the Kingdom, aiming to graduate a generation equipped with knowledge to steer the development of the modern state amid challenging global, regional, and economic circumstances.
A Turning Point in Education
During King Saud’s tenure—first as Crown Prince and later as King—the education sector witnessed major milestones. One of the earliest occurred 62 years ago, when the young teacher Othman Al‑Saleh, who had left Najd for the Eastern Province to work in trade after leaving the teaching profession, received a telegram from Crown Prince Saud instructing him to travel urgently to Riyadh for a special mission.
Othman Al‑Saleh quickly packed his belongings and returned to Riyadh. Upon arrival, he went directly to the office of Crown Prince Saud, who entrusted him with the task of establishing a new school. Its nucleus was a small room in a corner of the Crown Prince’s palace, used as a school for no more than a dozen students, led by the Crown Prince’s three sons: Musa‘ad, Mohammed, and Abdullah. The only teacher was the esteemed Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Rashid bin ‘Uwayn. The room resembled a traditional kuttab rather than a formal school: no grade levels, no structured curriculum.
Crown Prince Saud’s directive aimed to develop this school for his sons and open it to all children of the nation. He continued to support and expand the school after becoming King, transforming it into one of the most renowned schools in the country.
The Beginning of Girls’ Education
King Saud’s interest was not limited to educating boys—his sons, other princes, and the nation’s children. He extended this concern to girls’ education, instructing educator Othman Al‑Saleh to open the “Kareemat Institute”, convinced of the importance of this type of education, which had been largely absent from the official educational landscape except for modest attempts in some regions. This institute became the true beginning of girls’ education in the capital.
Archival Testimony from Bandar Al‑Saleh
Bandar Al‑Saleh, son of the educator Othman Al‑Saleh, documented in his private archive what his late father recalled about King Saud’s efforts in establishing education in Saudi Arabia—from his time as Crown Prince until he became King. He provided Asharq Al‑Awsat with information and photographs published for the first time, highlighting key educational milestones of that era.
Bandar explains that his father grew up in a household of learning and religion. He earned the equivalent of a high‑school certificate from the Ahlia School in ‘Unayzah, where he studied for two years before graduating. He worked as a teacher in ‘Unayzah, then as a teacher and principal in Al‑Majma‘ah School, then as principal of the school for the sons of Prince Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, before settling as principal of Al‑Anjal Institute (now the Model Capital School).
The Growth of Al‑Anjal Institute
Al‑Anjal Institute, under Othman Al‑Saleh’s leadership, began with 50 students in three primary classes. The teaching staff consisted of two teachers: Sheikh Abdulrahman bin ‘Uwayn and Ibrahim Al‑Sulayman. Later, at the director’s request, a third teacher joined: Sayed Ali Hamed, a Cairo University graduate with a degree in social sciences.
Four years after the institute’s establishment, the director requested additional teachers from Egypt. King Saud instructed him to travel to Mecca to coordinate with the Ministry of Education. He returned to Riyadh accompanied by two teachers: Ali Ahmed Banawi, English instructor, and Mohammed Abdul‑Samad, mathematics instructor. The number of teachers and students continued to grow year after year.
As the institute expanded, King Saud envisioned transforming it into a model school. He tasked the director with visiting Egypt to study its educational system. Fifty‑six years ago, a committee was formed by royal order to develop a curriculum for a model institute. The King also approved the construction of a new building, laying its foundation stone. The modern‑style building in Al‑Nasiriyah was inaugurated in Muharram 1372 AH, and the institute still occupies it today.
Early Girls’ Schools in Riyadh
Bandar Al‑Saleh recounts that girls’ education was not absent from Riyadh, contrary to common belief. His archive shows that the city had four schools for girls before the establishment of a dedicated authority for girls’ education.
1. “The King’s Daughters’ Charitable School” (Mabarrat Kareemat Al‑Malik)
Opened in Sha‘ban 1376 AH, supervised by three of the King’s daughters. It included kindergarten and primary levels, with five classes ending at fourth grade and 154 students. It followed the Ministry of Education curriculum, with additional subjects such as English, needlework, sewing, and home economics. The school emphasized physical education and had a boarding section for girls in need, supervised by trained educators.
2. “Al‑Kareemat Institute”
Located in Al‑Nasiriyah, the official residence of King Saud. It offered four educational stages—from kindergarten to intermediate level. Despite bearing the name of the King’s daughters, it was open to all girls in the Kingdom. Established one year after the first school, it enrolled 250 students in 11 classes, taught by 10 highly qualified teachers. It followed the Ministry’s curriculum with English taught from kindergarten. The institute was supervised by Al‑Anjal Institute.
3. Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz School (Mabarrat King Abdulaziz)
Located in Prince Talal’s palace in Al‑Murabba‘, established in 1378 AH. It was a formal school with kindergarten, preparatory, and primary levels, enrolling 210 students with a special uniform and school buses for transportation.
4. Al‑Nahda Girls’ School
A branch of Al‑Nahda Boys’ Schools, founded by a group of educated young men in Riyadh who believed that education was essential for life.