The National Center for Assessment in Higher Education (Qiyas) has announced that between 80,000 and 100,000 students would be exempted from examination fees this year.

Prince Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Mishari, president of Qiyas, said at a press conference here recently that this was part of an agreement signed with the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure financial relief for needy students.

Al-Mishari said students have to register their fingerprints with the ministry to verify their identity. A file is then opened with all their details. If students do not register, they would still be allowed to write the examination but have to confirm their identity later to receive their results.

Abdullah Al-Oqla, secretary-general for social security at the ministry, said the ministry has introduced electronic systems for its services. Students are assured of confidentiality if they are registered and are granted financial exemptions.

The ministry revealed in documentation released to the media that it has spent SR51 million on school bags for children of families under its social insurance scheme. Cash aid for food is estimated at SR205 million a month.

It also spent SR449 million a year on furniture for needy families, SR75 million a month for electricity, SR120 million for productive projects, SR700 million a month for social aid and SR73 million a year for other support.