RIYADH: Investors in the private education sector have threatened to withdraw investments from the sector because of "increasing pressure" by the Ministry of Education and government entities on their business, lack of autonomy, increased requirements like teaching government curriculums and hiring Saudi teachers, and lack of freedom to bring in the talent they need.

The investors are looking for independence in deciding curriculum and recruitment, facilitated recruitment processes of qualified staff, continued state support, eased lending restrictions, modification of requirements and regulations, and the allocation of land for their facilities.

During forum discussions at the 2016 education exhibition, Abdulrahman Saad Al-Haqbani, an education investor, said many investors would leave the private education sector if the Ministry of Education and other government entities continue to pressure them in their requirements.

The ministry, on the other hand, is looking to increase the participation of the private sector in investment in education to 25 percent, reduce private education costs, raise the quality of education and nationalize jobs.