JEDDAH: Only three weeks after the decision of Education Minister Ahmed Al-Isa to give private schools two years to move from rented buildings to better-designed and more appropriate school buildings, three chambers of commerce have requested the head of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, that he ask the minister to reconsider the decision in light of the increasing prices of land.

The chambers of commerce in Jeddah, Abha and Makkah want the the minister of education to reconsider the decision after a recent meeting between representatives of private schools committees and school owners. During the meeting, attendees agreed that the decision would be difficult to implement within two years and could lead to the exit of many private school investors.

They argued that the scarcity of appropriate public and private land, as well as exaggerated prices, exceeding private education profits, would also make the decision difficult to implement, especially as many schools are tied into long-term investment contracts. The decision would create additional regulatory and financial obstacles, as well as massive job cuts for teachers and staff of these schools.

The chambers objected to the decision and said most rented schools had been approved by government authorities and have complied with all safety requirements.

The chambers are expected to combine the objections from other chambers of commerce in different cities and raise them to the minister of education after the Eid holiday for consideration.

The minister had announced that the goal of not issuing licenses to private and foreign schools in rented buildings is to raise the quality of education and enhance the learning environment at these schools.