The forum — titled the International Exhibition and Forum for Public Education— is aimed at all education levels in the Kingdom from pre-school to post-graduate. Improving education, empowering teachers, establishing a knowledge-based society and equipping schools to be information and communication technology (ICT) friendly are on the top of the event’s agenda.

Seventeen international speakers are to deliver lectures on developing school-based education, while nine local speakers will review the Kingdom’s existing education system and suggest recommendations to make improvements.

The forum will also identify the role of technology in the development of the teaching and learning process in line with modern international trends.

Ali Al-Hakami, general director of the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Public Education Development Project, said the most important issue in the education process is improving the culture of education within families and society. He added that the core of developing education starts at home.

Al-Hakami said there are several challenges in the way of developing education, including poor teaching skills, especially in math and science. The lack of sufficient pre-school education poses another challenge, he said, adding that schools are unable to develop themselves and that special needs education currently on offer needs improvement.

He also praised the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Public Education Development Project which has dedicated a huge budget to improve the level of education in the Kingdom.

Al-Hakami said developing a learner's ability level and making him the core of the education process is the main aim of the project.