RIYADH — The Ministry of Education has rescinded its decision to close down private schools operating in rented buildings. It will now permit private schools to operate after the appropriate license is obtained. A source said the ministry had previously announced that it will not permit private schools to operate in rented buildings. "The ministry's initial announcement caused a lot of arguments and backlash which lead the ministry to reevaluate its decision and come up with a new program called "Tadaruj" to allow private schools to operate in rented buildings and ensure that all safety and security procedures are applied," said the source. The source added the program will ensure that the management of the school has a plan to develop and renovate the rented buildings. "The ministry's Private Education Agency and Buildings Affairs Agency will cooperate with the company running the program soon to ensure that the rented school buildings are licensed from the municipality and the Civil Defense," said the source. The source said the ministry met with the owners of private schools on Sunday to announce the new program. "The ministry will soon distribute a guideline under which all areas of the Kingdom are divided into three categories: a, b and c. The program is a three-step process to be approved as a building for a school to operate in. The first step is to insert the information required on the building in use by the investor and the architectural consultancy office," said the source. The source continued the ministry will evaluate the information submitted and grant it points based on a pre-approved points system. "If the submitted building receives over 75 percent of the required points, then the building is eligible to operate as a school. If the building receives less than that percentage, then the investor receives a report of recommendation on what needs to be done in order to improve the status of the building," said the source.
