JEDDAH: While the Ministry of Education sees privatization of education as a positive development, there are investors who express there cautious reluctance by saying there would be intense competition in the field and the returns might be less than desired.

Speaking on the recent proposal to privatize education, Khaled Al-Shamiri, a member of the National Committee for Education at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), said privatization would fill many gaps and would raise the quality of education.

“In some countries, there are standards and certain parties become responsible for groups of schools with the ministry penalizing those who fall below national standards. Similarly, here in Saudi Arabia, privatization will increase quality and decrease the burden on the ministry,” he said.

Some say the decision to privatize education is an opportunity to improve its quality but that this will increase the burden on investors. They note that there are difficulties and obstacles associated with privatization and if the industry had not been so determined to succeed in this regard, schools would have been closed because of the difficult conditions and standards set by the ministry.

One investor, who preferred anonymity, said he thought privatization would mean the entry of foreign investors which would create an opportunity to increase the quality of education in the Kingdom. But he warned that investors would face difficulties if there was no flexibility and safeguards for local investors.

“The definition of education in the public sector is based on the activation of the principle of competition in providing educational services and free choice,” said Abdul Hameed Al-Turaiqi, an educationist.

“In other words, the Education Ministry may open the door to the private sector through the administration of schools, and the ministry could issue ‘coupons’ or have educational departments give students and their parents the opportunity to choose their school according to the programs and activities they want,” he added.

Education expert Musa Alabed Al-Kareem said that privatization required clear regulations and standards. It would be a good step because, he said, the private sector has less bureaucracy and is more flexible. However, Al-Kareem noted, the important thing was to appoint teachers with the ability to succeed.