Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The minister of education has announced that the private sector is the driving force for the Kingdom's educational development and reform. "In fact, this will be the focus at the 5th International Education Conference to be held on April 12. The ministry views the private sector as the driving force for the development of education in the Kingdom. The ministry aims to support the private sector and devise strategies to attract more investors," said Ahmed Al-Isa. He also said the conference had invited educators from France to exchange expertise with a country with rich historical experience and knowledge on education. "We are also looking into expanding scholarship opportunities between the two countries. We also need to improve the rate of investment by the private sector in education. The rate is currently at 14 percent and it is lower than what is desired," said Al-Isa. He said in order to encourage businessmen to invest in the sector we must facilitate the process for them while maintaining the quality of education and its services. "We will broaden the range of privatization by not only opening investment opportunities for schools but also for small and medium educational establishments and school management offices and services. We will also open the door for non-educational investments such as food companies to operate school cafeterias," said Al-Isa. He said the ministry is open to any ideas or suggestions to improve the standard of education in the Kingdom. "We are willing to work with the Ministry of Labor and the Human Resources Development Fund alongside the investors to ensure that Saudi teachers are empowered and are paid well in both sectors. The ministry is also looking into making universities independent institutions responsible for their own budgeting and management," said Al-Isa. At the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh on Jan. 24, Al-Isa highlighted his ministry's four-point plan to strengthen private sector participation in the education sector. The minister said the private sector would be considered as a strategic partner to boost the education sector and that an investment company would be established within the framework of Tatwir Company to accelerate the privatization plan.
