RIYADH: The Culture Ministry and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) on Monday signed an agreement to increase coordination and cooperation in setting educational and training standards in the fields of art and culture, general and higher education. The agreement aims to streamline the procedures to ensure continuous professional development of the Saudi youth through different training programs. Deputy Culture Minister Prof. Hamid bin Mohammed Fayez and ETEC Chairman Dr. Hussam bin Abdulwahab Zaman signed the agreement. The ETEC ensures the evaluation of public and private education in the Kingdom, builds norms for public education curricula in coordination with the Ministry of Education, and approves and updates them. It also evaluates certificate programs offered by educational and training institutions and reviews them periodically for any updates according to the requirements of the Kingdom’s labor market and the latest global trends. The commission also develops, approves and implements systems for evaluation and accreditation. The commission exchanges experiences and expertise with similar entities outside the Kingdom and forges partnership with those global bodies to streamline its functions and boost its role for the improvement of the Saudi education system.