Saudi Arabia is taking a new step in education by adding video games to the school curriculum. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education and will apply across different education levels in the country.
The new program will combine educational gaming and esports elements. Instead of treating games only as entertainment, schools will use them as tools to build digital skills and creativity. The aim is to prepare students for modern careers and a fast-growing global gaming industry.
Officials say the curriculum will not be about playing games all day. Students will also learn the skills behind them, including game design, programming, storytelling, and the basics of the esports ecosystem. The move is part of a broader effort to connect traditional education with digital technologies and future job markets.
The plan comes after the Ministry of Education signed several agreements with national institutions and Savvy Games Group, a state-backed company that focuses on the gaming sector. These partnerships are meant to support game-based learning, teacher training, and student competitions in the future.
Reports say the rollout will happen gradually. Authorities want to study how the program works in classrooms and then expand it based on feedback from schools and students.
The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s larger push into gaming and esports as part of its economic plans. In recent years, the country has invested heavily in the sector and hosted major esports events, aiming to create new jobs and attract young talent.
For many students, the change could make classrooms feel more familiar and engaging. Instead of seeing games as a distraction, the new curriculum treats them as a skill and a possible career path. If the program succeeds, Saudi Arabia could become one of the first countries to fully integrate gaming into everyday school learning.
