Finnish pedagogy vs the Saudi national curriculum
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reforms are pushing its national curriculum toward more STEM, digital literacy and critical thinking. Here is how that compares with Finnish pedagogy.
- Saudi Arabia's national curriculum centres on Islamic studies, Arabic language and cultural identity, alongside mathematics, science, social studies and English.
- Vision 2030 reforms are adding more STEM subjects, digital literacy and critical thinking skills, with earlier and stronger English teaching in primary school.
- The Tatweer initiative focuses on upgrading teacher qualifications and training in modern teaching methods, echoing Finland's own emphasis on highly trained teachers.
- Saudi Arabia's curriculum remains centrally set and subject-organised, whereas Finland gives individual schools and teachers considerably more freedom over how the national framework is delivered day to day.
The Saudi national curriculum today
Saudi Arabia's national curriculum has traditionally centred on Islamic studies, Arabic language and cultural identity, taught alongside mathematics, science, social studies and English. Since the launch of Vision 2030, reforms have added more STEM content, digital classrooms and earlier, stronger English teaching, with the Tatweer initiative aimed at improving teacher qualifications and training in modern methods such as critical thinking instruction.
Where the two approaches align
Vision 2030's push for critical thinking, STEM and stronger teacher training moves in a similar direction to Finnish pedagogy, which has long prioritised highly trained, highly trusted teachers and skills over rote content. Both systems also now recognise the importance of digital literacy from an early age.
The two systems diverge in structure. Saudi Arabia's curriculum stays centrally defined and organised by subject, with the ministry setting detailed content, while Finland's national curriculum sets broad goals and leaves teachers to build much of the day-to-day teaching plan themselves, often through phenomenon-based learning that blends subjects together.
What this means for schools comparing the two
A school in Saudi Arabia considering Finnish pedagogy would typically keep its national curriculum for religious education, Arabic and cultural content, while adopting Finnish teaching methods, particularly phenomenon-based project work and formative assessment, for how other subjects are delivered in the primary years.
Frequently asked questions
Is Finnish pedagogy compatible with Saudi Arabia's national curriculum?
Yes, in the same way it works alongside other national curricula in the Gulf: schools typically keep required content such as Islamic studies and Arabic while adopting Finnish teaching methods for how lessons are delivered.
How does Vision 2030 compare with Finland's approach to STEM?
Both push STEM and digital literacy earlier in a child's education, though Finland ties this to teacher autonomy and phenomenon-based projects rather than a centrally set STEM curriculum.
Are there Finnish-curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia?
See Finnish education in Saudi Arabia for the current picture of Finnish-pedagogy schools and affiliation in the country.
Related reading
Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school
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Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.
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