300,000 students withdraw from Saudi private schools

Investors in private and foreign education incur heavy losses

More than 300,000 students have withdrawn from private schools in Saudi Arabia following the decision to continue remote learning for kindergarten and elementary school education in the new academic year.

According to Ebrahim Al Hamlan, member of the National Committee for Education at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC), investors in private and foreign education sector have incurred heavy losses due to the sudden withdrawal of students.

Al Hamlan added that the private school sector did not get enough time to plan properly during the new academic year because of a communication gap with authorities.

“Educational authorities could have informed the National Committee for Education about the possible scenario for the learning system at an early date so that investors in private and foreign education could make proper arrangements,” he said.

He emphasised that an effective partnership between government agencies and the private sector is necessary for the growth of the sector.