A Comparative Study of the Primary Education System in France and Saudi Arabia

(An Analytical Study to Benefit from the French Experience in Developing the Saudi Education System)

Abstract

This research aims to study the French educational system and compare it with the educational system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of benefiting from it in developing the Saudi educational system. The comparative approach was used. The study included a description of the conceptual framework of the educational system in both countries, its objectives, and the factors influencing both systems. It also included a description of the educational stages, curricula, and evaluation systems for both countries, with mention of the sources of education funding, and finally the similarities and differences between the two systems, then the mechanisms for benefiting from the French educational system in developing the Saudi educational system. The study concluded that both countries are based on deep foundations in their educational systems. France relies in its educational system on its common cultural heritage, while the Saudi educational system is based on ideological and value-based foundations derived from the Islamic religion and the culture and values ​​of society. The factors influencing the French and Saudi educational systems are the economic factor and the religious factor. The educational stages of both countries are also similar, as they both provide compulsory education consisting of three stages (primary - intermediate - secondary) and differ in the objectives and mechanisms of these stages. Both In both countries, education is funded by the state, and community institutions participate in operating some schools. Among the mechanisms for benefiting from the French education system in developing education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are (vocational education in secondary school - activating integrated schools for sustainable development).