The Education Ministry of Saudi Arabia is beginning to introduce reforms of the school curriculum. King Abdullah has appointed a new team to look into necessary reforms, headed up by Prince Faisal bin Abdullah and Faisal bin Muammar.

There have been national and international concerns about some aspects of the curriculum in recent years. In 2005, a massive program of reform was launched - but with little tangible success. Now, curriculum changes will allow for more moderate interpretations of core texts.

There are elements of the educational establishment who are opposed to these changes, stating that they are only been made as a result of Western pressure. However, it is believed that King Abdullah will push ahead with the reforms nevertheless - although at a generally slow pace