Emphasizing the need for the private sector to play an increasing role with sustained investments in promoting education, Vice Minister of Education Faisal bin Abdul Rahman bin Muaammar, said: "The private sector must realize that increased and continuous investments in education can ensure its progress and that of the society."
If education is making rapid progress across the Kingdom, it is due to the visionary policies of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. "And it is his policies that are leading to reforms in this vital sector," the minister said while taking part in a panel discussion on education.
The minister said the Ministry of Education (MoE) was aware of the reforms needed in the context of the rapidly changing world. "The MoE is studying what changes could be effected in the present school curriculum," he said. There was a demand voiced by a woman in the audience that the ministry should simplify education by limiting the schooling to nine years instead of 12. "Twelve years of schooling followed by four years of study at college or university is a long period. If the number of years at school is reduced to nine, the students can next take up vocational or technical studies of their interest," he said.
"We are hopeful of the Kingdom making giant strides in education sooner than expected as the king has personally given directions to that effect," the minister said.
Emphasizing the need for the private sector to increasingly invest in education, the minister said: "The more you invest in early education, the more will be returns for the benefit of society." The JEF, opened by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Saturday, discussed many important issues related to the Saudi economy at various sessions over the last three days. They included rebuilding faith in financial institutions, especially after the world was hit by an economic slowdown, the current and future developments regarding energy and the environment, protectionism in trade and investment, and the all important issue of providing food security.