Over 1,000 private schools in the Kingdom are facing an uncertain future because they are not supported by government ministries, say investors. As a result, the Saudization percentage at these schools is seven percent, while the required percentage is 25 percent, the investors were reported as saying by Al-Eqtisadiah Arabic business daily on Friday. Abdullah Al-Khalaf, a member of the national committee of private education at the Council of Saudi Chambers, said there are two main problems facing private schools. Firstly, 70,000 Saudi male and female teachers left private schools for public ones. Secondly, the Ministry of Labor issued orders which required girls' and boys' private schools to have separate business registration certificates, which meant these schools could not benefit from having a joint Saudization percentage, he said. “It's a sad thing that private schools do not get sufficient support from the ministries of Finance, Labor and Education although these schools have created jobs for Saudis. Each ministry focuses on its policy regarding private schools. There is no unified policy among these ministries regarding Saudization, employment and improving productivity, which reflects on the national economy.” These two problems, if not solved, will see private schools enter the red zone, this after they had been in the green zone, he explained. Saudization at private girls' schools stands at 80 percent, while it is only 30 percent at boys' schools, he pointed out. There are many obstacles at private schools including a lack of Saudi teachers for basic subjects such as science, mathematics, English language and religion, he said. This took place following the Royal Decree calling for job opportunities for Saudi teachers at public schools, he added. The Ministry of Labor and private school investors are trying to find solutions to the challenges facing this sector by holding regular workshops and symposia, he said. “A big workshop will be held soon by the ministries of Education, Civil Service and Labor to discuss undecided matters related to Saudization percentages, the Nitaqat Program, mechanisms for applying Royal Decrees, unified contracts and other issues related to the private sector in the Kingdom. Investors hope satisfactory solutions can be found.”
