MANY columnists in the local media have written about the importance of increasing the salaries of both male and female teachers at private schools. It was recently announced that the government had increased the starting salaries at private schools to SR6,500 a month. However, private school owners have decried the decision. Citing a study, they claim that 85 percent of private schools are small to medium establishments. Some of these schools operate in remote villages where tuition fees are low. As a result, increasing the salaries of private school teachers will lead to schools increasing their fees to cover the difference; meaning citizens will end up paying more from their pockets. If owners are unable to increase tuition fees, they will close the schools as they are no longer financially viable and more students will enroll in government schools. Investors have suggested that the salaries of private school teachers be paid by three parties: The Ministry of Finance, Human Resources Development Fund and private school owners. Each of the three should contribute SR2,000 as this is apparently the only way to solve the problem. This suggestion will reportedly only cost the government SR672 million. It is said that the number of teachers working in private schools is only 28,000. This means, the amount of money spent on teachers' salaries will save the government SR500 million a year, the amount that would be spent on students if they transfer from private to government schools. All of this is the opinion of private school investors. I side with my fellow citizens who are against any increases in tuition fees. The Ministry of Education should grade schools based on their quality. A credible grading system will increase competition and encourage investment. Government involvement will only serve the interests of investors and is not the solution to the problem!
