The Ministry of Education plans to overhaul the country's school curriculum over the next two years with a focus on quality teaching, promoting the Arabic language and instilling a sense of patriotism in learners.

The ministry has hired experts and academics to implement this development program.

Minister of Education Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said one aim of the revamp is to ensure students have a proper understanding of Islam and develop good values and ideals along with their academic skills.

During a meeting with program officials recently, the minister said it was important to prepare students for a knowledge economy, by ensuring a wider range of choices in a sophisticated and attractive learning environment.

Prince Khaled said the education system should provide students with the skills needed by the country's labor market and there should be a good balance struck between the country's values and global realities.

The ministry celebrated International Literacy Day by stating that the Kingdom has made major strides in reducing illiteracy over the years. Saudi Arabia brought down the level of illiteracy among males and females over the past nine years by 61 percent to 6.81 percent in 2013.

The ministry is also running a program to ensure there is a high literacy rate among government employees. It has been holding summer campaigns targeting residents in remote areas, with an emphasis on Islamic education and developing loyalty to the country.

A total of 139,376 students have enrolled in literacy programs this academic year.