Saudi Ministry of Education and National Center for Privatization launch first privatization project in the education sector

Saudi Ministry of Education, in cooperation with National Center for Privatization, launched the first privatization project in the education sector, which is to assign the construction and operation of 60 new schools in Madinah to the private sector, with a total investment value of 5.2 billion riyals over 23 years, within a partnership contract between the public and private sectors.

The project was launched under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal, Deputy Emir of Madinah, and in the presence of Yousef Al-Bunyan, Minister of Education, and Muhannad bin Ahmed Basodan, CEO of the National Center for Privatization.

The Minister, Yousef Al-Bunyan, confirmed that this project is one of the most important educational projects in the Kingdom, and comes within the framework of building, operating and converting schools in partnership with the private sector.

The project is the first of its kind in the education sector in the Kingdom and targets 60 school buildings fully equipped with advanced educational services and facilities, which inaugurates a new phase in the privatization of services, improving performance and raising operational efficiency, while providing the finest services to male and female students and their families.

Al-Bunyan added that the ministry is currently working on transferring operational services to the Buildings Development Company, the executive arm of the ministry, with the aim of focusing on improving the educational process and ensuring high-quality educational outcomes.

He also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his loyal Crown Prince, for the great support and continuous follow-up that education enjoys. For his part, Muhannad bin Ahmed Basudan, CEO of the National Center for Privatization, stressed that the patronage of the Emir of Madinah for the inauguration ceremony of 60 modern schools, with advanced equipment and in accordance with international standards, reflects the state’s commitment to enhancing national investments and supporting the economy by providing attractive investment opportunities for the private sector.

He pointed out that this project contributes to increasing the private sector’s contribution to the GDP and enhances the sustainability of the Kingdom’s economy. Basudan explained that the first phase of the project has been successfully operated, as 30 schools received male and female students in the current academic year 1446/1447 AH, while 30 other schools are preparing to receive students in the second phase next year. He added that these efforts contribute to the development of a modern educational infrastructure, designed to meet the needs of new generations and provide high-quality education in a model educational environment.

The project include: 32 primary schools, 17 intermediate schools, 6 secondary schools, and 5 kindergartens, all accommodating 52,000 male and female students. These schools have been equipped according to the highest quality and safety standards, to ensure the health and safety of students, teachers, employees and visitors, ensuring a safe and sustainable educational environment.

It is worth noting that the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Buildings Development Company, with the support of the National Center for Privatization, aims to achieve the “Taiba without Rented Buildings” initiative, which aims to reach zero percent of rented schools by 2025, within the framework of the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The project seeks to replace rented buildings with advanced government educational projects that contribute to achieving quality education and the highest levels of learning.