Equity and Inclusion in Saudi Education during the Pandemic

Abstract

The main purpose of this chapter is to explore the role of the Ministry of Education to ensure equity and inclusion in education, and how that role developed during COVID-19. Equity in education is the backbone for providing high-quality education for all students. For the purpose of this chapter, I used multiple strategies for data collection. As an educator who works at the Ministry of Education, I conducted an observation strategy to understand the aim of the process of school reopening during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also reviewed official documents issued by the Ministry of Education and interviewed school principals and teachers from different schools in Makkah. The study found that centralization in decision-making was one of the key elements of a successful educational experience during the pandemic. The Ministry of Education was the only source for making the decision that helped to resume education and to initiate platforms for students to access high-quality education. The study also found that ensuring equity in distance education is very challenging. Although the Ministry of Education uses multiple education resources to ensure that all students have access to free learning materials, it requires collaboration with other aspects of society such as parents, community institutions, and public and private sectors.