Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Education has required all new pupils complete two semesters at a kindergarten before enrolling in elementary school, according to Al-Hayat daily. All elementary schools have been instructed to enforce the new rule effective immediately. According to the new procedures for enrollment in elementary schools for the academic year 2013-2014, only new pupils who are at least six years old or 90 days short of their sixth birthday, will be enrolled in the first elementary grade. The ministry will also enroll pupils who finished two semesters of kindergarten inside or outside the Kingdom and who are 180 days short of their sixth birthday. But such students should meet the following criteria: They must have been born on or before April 5, 2008, and should possess a certain amount of developmental skills. Also, their kindergarten teachers should recommend they be passed on to the next grade. If a student had attended kindergarten in a foreign country, his or her certificate should be attested by the Saudi cultural attaché or the embassy in that country. Students who do not meet the above criteria will not be allowed to enroll this year. Sources said the enrollment process will begin at Qur'an memorization schools on Sept. 2, 2013. A large number of students compete to enroll in these schools. Priority will be given to Saudi students. The ministry will announce dates for enrollment in private schools later.
