For first-year high school students: Details on applying to the competitive skills development program
The Saudi Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the application period for the "Capabilities Development Competition" program, a strategic initiative specifically designed for first-year secondary school students. This announcement is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the skills of Saudi students and prepare them to compete for places at top international universities through a comprehensive training system that combines intensive academic preparation with psychological and cultural development.
National context and ambitious vision
The "Munafes" program is not merely a passing training course, but rather a crucial link within the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. Through these programs, the Kingdom seeks to invest early in human capital, as preparing high school students is considered the cornerstone for ensuring their success in future scholarship programs, such as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program (Pioneers Track). This approach aims to bridge the gap between the outputs of general education and the stringent admission requirements of prestigious international universities.
Program pillars and unique features
The program is designed to be a comprehensive preparation journey that builds a solid academic foundation for students. The "Capacity Development Competition" is based on several key pillars:
- Intensive language preparation: Raising English proficiency for academic purposes to ensure passing international entrance exams (such as IELTS and TOEFL).
- Academic preparation: Enhancing the scientific and research skills required for university studies abroad.
- Guidance and counseling: Providing counseling sessions that help students discover their inclinations and choose future specializations that are compatible with the needs of the labor market and the directions of the state.
- Cultural adaptation: Developing communication and coexistence skills in multicultural environments to ensure the student's stability during the scholarship period.
The program is characterized by its flexibility, as it is implemented during the evening period at a rate of 5 to 10 hours per week, which ensures that it does not conflict with the student’s morning study schedule, and combines remote electronic lectures and in-person workshops when needed.
Admission requirements and application process
The Ministry of Education has established a set of precise criteria to ensure the selection of elite students, with the following requirements for admission:
- The student must be of Saudi nationality.
- To be enrolled in the first year of secondary school at the time of application.
- Obtaining a grade point average of at least 95% in the last academic result.
- Parental consent and a genuine desire to pursue scholarships in the future.
- Technical capabilities are provided (computer and internet connection).
The ministry explained that applications are available electronically through the "My School" platform, where the student selects the "Yes, I want to apply" icon, after which the nomination process begins, which includes confirmation messages to the parent, and centralized tests to differentiate between applicants.
Expected impact and future of graduates
This program is expected to produce a generation of students capable of securing direct admission to the top 30 universities worldwide without requiring additional preparatory years after high school. This early preparation not only saves time and effort but also increases the success rate of scholarship recipients and reduces academic failure rates abroad, ultimately benefiting the national economy by providing it with globally qualified talent.
