Education Survey: Saudi Learners Aiming High

Survey undertaken by world’s largest learning organisation gives snapshot of KSA students’ ambitions.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 29th 2014 – A study undertaken by Pearson, the world’s largest learning company has found that Saudi students have high expectations for their future. Of those Saudi students surveyed, 71 percent revealed they are planning to undertake further study and 62 percent said that they have plans to study abroad.

Pearson, which offers Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications in Saudi Arabia, surveyed learners who had recently completed a Pearson qualification in the Kingdom. The ‘Next Steps’ Survey was part of a global undertaking by the company to determine how well qualifications are preparing learners for higher education and the workforce, and to better understand the long-term career aspirations of graduates.

Karim Daoud, Pearson’s Managing Director in the Middle East, says the results of the survey in Saudi Arabia show young people in the Kingdom are taking their education, and future career, seriously.

“I am encouraged by the large number of Saudi school and college leavers who have plans to continue their education at university level, either at home, or abroad. The results of the survey suggest our youth understand the importance of a good education to their future earning potential, and ability to find rewarding employment in a tight regional and global job market”.

Ensuring qualifications have a positive impact on the lives of those who undertake them is of critical importance to Pearson, a company who has made a global pledge to support efficacy in education. Mr Daoud says:
“We firmly believe that learning should be a life-changing opportunity and a great education should have a measurable, proven impact on learners’ lives. That is why Pearson aims to report on the learning outcomes of all its products and services by 2018. That means everything we do here in Saudi Arabia, including our qualifications offering, will be assessed according to an Efficacy framework. However, the Kingdom’s results in the Next Steps Survey suggest that we are already on the right path to ensuring learners are benefitting from their education, with exciting future prospects opened up to them as a result of their Pearson qualification”.

Riyadh-based student, Fayssal Al Qudrah who completed a Pearson International GSCE, says the qualification was excellent preparation for his future academic aspirations, which include studying pre-pharmacy at the University of Bridgeport in the United States, and eventually medicine at a foreign university.

“I wanted to study something that would help me realise my goal of becoming a medical doctor. My Pearson IAL AS Level qualifications in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology was a great basis for my current studies. I hope to go to a leading university in the United States – my International GSCE qualification has set me on the right path to achieving this goal. I would recommend to other young Saudis with big dreams to also consider an internationally recognised qualification – it really can help set you up for an exciting future”.

About Pearson:

Pearson is the world’s largest learning company, operating in more than 80 countries around the world, bringing powerful learning solutions to millions of learners every year. Pearson takes learning personally. Our courses and resources are available in print, online and through multi-lingual packages, helping people learn whatever, wherever and however they choose. Our education imprints combine 150 years of experience and include online support for every learner.  Our innovative and dynamic digital learning products and services are changing the learning landscape all around the globe and our qualifications are positively transforming the futures of learners of all ages and backgrounds.  Pearson can boast a comprehensive English Language offering that consists of engaging content and cutting edge testing solutions. To find out more, visit www.pearson.com.