Salim, head of the Committee for Private Sector Education in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, expects Saudis to spend more than SR8.5 billion yearly toward education of their children in private schools and universities. “The number of male and female students in private schools exceeds 500,000,” Al-Salim was quoted by Al-Hayat Arabic daily. “The yearly fee of each student is between SR10,000 to SR12,000.” “Around 100,000 male and female students study in private universities, and they pay approximately SR25,000 in fee every year,” he said. Al-Salim described investment in the education sector profitable and something that must be encouraged as it falls in line with the ambitions and plans of the ministries of Planning and Education. The ministries have underscored the importance of growth of the private sector in the field of education, which has grown from 9% to 25% when compared to public sector education, Al-Salim said. “Such growth was realized due to the great rise in the number of private schools, the total of which in the country now exceeds 3,000,” he added. Al-Salim said there were several reasons for the high demand of private schools and universities, but the most notable include construction of new buildings by schools and universities that conform with the education process; and introduction of latest technologies and modern means (from hi-tech computer labs to laboratories to special centers for gifted students to courses for teacher training), all of which are consistent with the Ministry of Education's project to develop a new curricula.
