"We have already completed 600 new school buildings this year at a cost of SR9 billion," said Muhammad Al-Dakhini, spokesman of the ministry. There are more than 33,000 primary, intermediate and secondary schools across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has given utmost importance to education and training for the development of national manpower, with the current budget allocating SR150 billion for the sector. There are more than 500,000 teachers in government schools in addition to 40,000 administrative staff members.

Al-Dakhini said 1,200 schools have been renovated this year.

The government has allocated a budget for appointing 7,700 new teachers this fiscal year. "We are now in the process of appointing 8,000 women teachers in various schools, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Affairs," he said.

Referring to the royal decree to create 52,000 new jobs for Saudis in the Education Ministry, the spokesman said the ministry would coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to appoint new graduates in academic and administrative jobs.

He also pointed out that English language studies have been implemented in Class IV of 4,000 primary schools for the first time this year. “We are also implementing a number of programs to improve the quality of education in the country.” These include a two-year special program to develop the professional skills of teachers who play an important role in the education process.

Saad Almasaudi, director of the Program for Graduate Education Studies at King Abdulaziz University, commended the ministry’s efforts to improve the country’s education atmosphere by constructing state-of-the-art school buildings.

He said the KAU program has been playing a big role in improving the quality of education in the Kingdom by providing training to teachers in education, administration, counseling and instruction technology. The program offers diplomas and masters degrees. About 4,000 male and female teachers are currently attending the program at the university.