Based on the figures of its 2009 budget, the Ministry of Education has scheduled 522 boys schools for construction along with 1,800 schools already under construction at a total cost of SR15 billion, said Saeed Al-Ghamdi, deputy minister of education for construction. The 1,800 ongoing projects worth nearly SR10 billion are expected to replace rented school buildings, increasing the percentage of government school buildings to 85 percent. The 2009 ministry budget also calls for the construction of four buildings for education directorates, five educational centers, five supervision centers, 10 sports halls, hostels, and storage units across the country at a total cost of SR350 million. Current government school buildings have received a large part of the budget of up to SR780 million for new equipment, expansion, renovation, and development to increase their capacity.
