TAIF: Strict action will be taken against private as well as government schools if they are found violating rules and regulations.

According to Education Ministry sources, quoted by local media, private educational institutions found flouting the norms will be imposed heavy financial penalties, and the ones failing to meet the set standards will be closed down.

Government schools will not be spared, the sources said. “If they are found on the wrong side of the law, their principals, whether male or female, will be sacked.”

The Educational Evaluation Commission (EEC) has started inspecting the performance of private schools through 18 standards to ensure that they are up to the professional level.

This is being done because the Saudi Secondary School Certificate, especially the ones from private schools, are no longer accepted in a number of countries. It is argued that these schools take it easy on students and give them marks they do not deserve.

The new classification includes three principles — quality leadership, quality education and developments of students.

The private schools will be classified on a number of levels — lack of standards application, application of standards, partial application of standards, total application of standards and the pioneering level.

The EEC will publish the classification of schools through different media so that parents will know the levels of schools and choose the best. This will decrease the number of schools and improve quality of education.