Maeve O'Leary
COBIS is proud to announce that its Accreditation and Compliance scheme has received official recognition and licensing from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC), the national authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia responsible for licensing and regulating international accreditation entities, as well as ensuring the quality of their work in alignment with national priorities.
This recognition means that COBIS is now formally authorised to operate as a licensed accreditor for British and international schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The achievement represents a major milestone in supporting school improvement and quality assurance in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, while further strengthening the global credibility of the COBIS framework.
Colin Bell, CEO of COBIS, said:
“We are delighted that the COBIS Accreditation and Compliance scheme has been formally recognised by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. This achievement reflects the rigour and international standing of our scheme, and we look forward to working closely with ETEC and schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support high-quality education and continuous school improvement in line with Vision 2030.”
Lord Jim Knight, Chair of the COBIS Board, added:
“This formal recognition is a landmark moment for COBIS and for the many British international schools operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a testament to the tireless work of the COBIS team and our partners at ETEC, and it strengthens our shared commitment to excellence in education. I am confident that this partnership will have a positive and lasting impact on learners, educators, and school communities across the Kingdom.”
Sarah Chidgey, Head of International Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade, said of the news:
"I am delighted to see such a successful outcome in UK-KSA education collaboration as part of the International Education Strategy, through Professor Sir Steve Smith's and wider HMG support".
COBIS would like to extend its sincere thanks to those who have supported this process, within ETEC, the Department of Business and Trade and partners and colleagues in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their support and encouragement.
This recognition, granted on 7 August 2025, means that COBIS is now formally authorised to operate as a licensed accreditor for British and international schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The achievement represents a major milestone in supporting school improvement and quality assurance in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, while further strengthening the global credibility of the COBIS framework.
Colin Bell, CEO of COBIS, said:
“We are delighted that the COBIS Accreditation and Compliance scheme has been formally recognised by the Education and Training Evaluation Commission. This achievement reflects the rigour and international standing of our scheme, and we look forward to working closely with ETEC and schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support high-quality education and continuous school improvement in line with Vision 2030.”
Lord Jim Knight, Chair of the COBIS Board, added:
“This formal recognition is a landmark moment for COBIS and for the many British international schools operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a testament to the tireless work of the COBIS team and our partners at ETEC, and it strengthens our shared commitment to excellence in education. I am confident that this partnership will have a positive and lasting impact on learners, educators, and school communities across the Kingdom.”
Sarah Chidgey, Head of International Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade, said of the news:
"I am delighted to see such a successful outcome in UK-KSA education collaboration as part of the International Education Strategy, through Professor Sir Steve Smith's and wider HMG support".
COBIS would like to extend its sincere thanks to those who have supported this process, within ETEC, the Department of Business and Trade and partners and colleagues in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their support and encouragement.