Private schools In Saudi Arabia scramble to comply with MoE rules

The Ministry of Education (MoE) is expected to carry out inspection of all private and international schools in September to ensure they have complied with the rules and regulations. "Many schools are trying their best to comply with the requirements but they are facing difficulties," said one school administrator who requested anonymity. She said that one private international school is facing closure because it has trouble obtaining visas to recruit teachers and other staff.

Another is said to be behind in the payment of its staff’s salaries. She said that three years ago, the MoE required schools to build separate classrooms for female and male students.

Many schools complied but others failed to do so, she added. "Moreover, schools are now also required to acquire separate buildings for male and female staff and this is not easy due to financial burdens. One building now could be rented from SR100,000 to SR150,000," she said. In addition, teachers should now be under the sponsorship of the schools. In the past, teachers could be under the sponsorship of their husbands while they were teaching.

"Apprehensive that they might be caught, these teachers have stopped teaching even if they are allowed a few months more to have their sponsorship transferred to the school where they teach," she said. Aside from all these, the schools are now also required to pay plane tickets, vacation allowance and separation pay to the teachers and their staff.

"With all the expenses that we incur in relation to the new rules, we are unlikely to break even this year," said the principal of one school with about 1,300 students. In addition to these financial burdens, she added, the schools are also required to employ Saudi nationals. Another school principal said: "With the new rules, financially weak schools will be weeded out. Only the schools, which could comply deserve to continue operating. They will be able to give quality education since their teachers can focus on their job, knowing fully well that they are taken care of."