The Council’s education and research committee has already approved the 33 articles that give the Ministry of Education greater oversight over investors, teacher appointments and curricula.
The Shoura Council starts sitting next week.
The SR 2,000 subsidy will be reviewed every three years by a committee of officials from the ministries of Education and Finance.
The ministry also wants an agency to be set up under the direct supervision of the deputy minister of education to monitor private schools in the country.
The ministry will have the power to fine non-compliant schools SR 500,000 and shut them down permanently or temporarily.
In addition, all private school owners must have university degrees. If the owner dies, then the heirs must also fulfill the ministry’s requirements or hire people who are qualified within three months.
Private schools are not allowed to change their location, shut down temporarily, or change their education level without the written approval of the ministry.
An investor must be a citizen of the Kingdom or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, hold a university degree, be over the age of 21, have no convictions for a criminal offense involving moral turpitude and dishonesty, or expelled from private and public service after being convicted of a disciplinary offense.
Owners must also ensure that schools have the proper health and safety measures in place and adequate administrative staff, teachers and equipment.
In addition, all private schools must comply with the provisions of the license issued to them, including respecting religious and ethical values applicable in the Kingdom.
Private schools are not allowed to make contact with organizations abroad or accept subsidies in cash or kind from foreign sources without the approval of the ministry.
School buildings cannot be used for non-educational purposes. Ministerial approval is required if the school wants to establish evening classes for students of the school or the community.
If the school wants to provide accommodation for students, this should be done in a separate building, in accordance with health and other requirements.
All private schools must also ensure proper contracts are drawn up for staff and meet minimum wage requirements.
The ministry has the power to cancel a school’s license at the end of the year if it does not meet education, moral, financial and administrative requirements or if students perform below the required level.
The ministry also has the power to amend or discontinue any part of the curriculum that does not fit in with the Kingdom’s religious, social and historical values.
Private schools must identify their tuition fees four months before the start of the academic year. Schools are not allowed to raise fees in the middle of a school year.
In addition, there should only be 25 pupils in a class; and the teacher Saudization rate should be increased to 80 percent.
