National dress made mandatory for students, including expats, in Saudi schools

Riyadh: The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has mandated uniform for students in both public and private secondary schools. The new decision comes following the instructions of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the ministry announced.

According to the new policy, all male students in public and private secondary schools across the country must wear the national dress. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen national identity and educational values among students, the ministry stated.

Under the new policy, Saudi students are required to wear the traditional long robe called thawb, along with a head covering, either ghutra or shemagh. This is the traditional Arab dress code. However, expatriate children, including those from foreign countries, will only be required to wear the thawb and are not obligated to wear the head covering.

At the same time, authorities clarified that this new rule does not apply to students studying in international schools.

The initiative aligns with broader national efforts aimed at cultivating values, promoting national consciousness, and fostering loyalty among students. The decision to make the national dress part of the school uniform is part of the larger vision of spreading Saudi identity, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under Vision 2030.

While the exact date for the implementation of the new uniform law has not been announced, the Ministry of Education has outlined a campaign to raise awareness among students and parents. The campaign will focus on explaining the importance of wearing the national dress and its role in strengthening national pride and heritage. The ministry also emphasized the significance of cultivating national awareness from a young age.