Gulf education council reviews future strategy in Riyadh

December 14, 2025 / 9:43 AM

Sharjah 24: Dr Issa Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of the Arabic Language Education Centre for the Gulf States (ALECGS) participated in the Executive Council meeting of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States during its ninety-third session, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Engineer Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Education and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, alongside His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Muqbel Al Muqbel, Director General of the Bureau. The session was attended by Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Education in the member states, directors of the Bureau’s centres in Sharjah, Doha and Kuwait, a representative of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as directors of departments within the Bureau.

Executive Council meeting in Riyadh

The Executive Council held its ninety-fifth meeting on Thursday evening in Riyadh, with the participation of Executive Council members representing the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Education in the member states. The meeting was also attended by the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat, the Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, and the directors of the centres and affiliated bodies of the Bureau.

Appreciation and institutional milestones

At the outset of the meeting, the Council extended its highest expressions of thanks and appreciation to the leaders of the member states in recognition of the generous support and continuous attention given to the education sector. The Council also expressed its gratitude to the Secretary-General of the GCC for his care and support of joint Gulf educational action, and to the Ministers of Education in the member states for their ongoing backing of the Bureau’s initiatives and programmes.

The Council commended the preparations underway to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Bureau’s establishment, stressing the importance of the occasion in highlighting the journey of joint Gulf educational cooperation and its significant contributions over the past decades.

Strategic review and curriculum development

During the meeting, the Council reviewed the Bureau’s 2026–2030 strategy, discussing its main directions and focus areas, and examining ways to enhance the effectiveness of future programmes and projects in line with the priorities of member states and evolving educational development requirements.

The Council also reviewed a presentation delivered by the National Curriculum Centre of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which outlined the centre’s key orientations and plans for curriculum

development, within the framework of strengthening the exchange of expertise among specialised educational bodies in the member states.

Commitment to continued cooperation

The meeting concluded by reaffirming the importance of continuing to strengthen pathways of Gulf educational cooperation and integration, and supporting efforts aimed at developing education systems and raising the quality of education across member states.