When the government allowed the Ministry of Education to establish new boys’ and girls’ private schools, gave them financial support and helped with the payment of salaries, the goal was to improve the level of education. The private schools should have various features that attract parents to pay for their children’s education. Some of the schools, however, failed to achieve the required level. Examples follow.

The ministry requires new private school buildings to include all utilities and to have ample space for sports.

In fact, most private schools are either in rented buildings or privately owned by the school owner and, in most cases, in an apartment building unable to hold more than 500 students. On this point, there are no differences between private schools and government schools. Rented government school buildings are sometimes in better condition than private ones.

Some private schools advertise all kinds of things in a bid to attract new students. These include computer labs, swimming pools, and various dramatic activities. The activities, however, take place — if they take place at all — in rooms such as the kitchen or the basement. Many of the private schools also run after-hour classes to earn extra money. These private schools also hire non-Saudis for low wages without looking at their educational qualifications or their ability to do the job they have been hired to do. Private school administrators do not take into consideration the negative effect the low salaries plus the high cost of living in the Kingdom have on these teachers; often the teachers end up working in two jobs instead of concentrating on teaching in the private school.

We understand that government schools crowd many students in one class so that no one misses the chance of being educated. What we do not understand is why private schools crowd too many students into classes when they receive fees from students as well as financial help from government.

Why doesn’t the Ministry of Education coordinate with the civil defense and police when it comes to private schools. Why are these schools not forced to build their new buildings in safe locations. What does the ministry think about this? Is it true that many private schools are owned by employees of the Ministry of Education? Why, we wonder, has the ministry ignored these problems for so long?

- Arab News Local Press 18 September 2003