Saudi Arabia Launches A School Drive Worth $800 Million

Good news for the education section in Saudi Arabia, which has been gifted with a generous grant

News made headlines earlier on Wednesday, when Saudi Arabia launched a school drive that is worth $800 million to aid the education sector over the next 10 years.

In partnership with GEMS Education, the 10-year initiative will help a network of modern schools across the Kingdom.

The Dubai-based schools group will be providing an ambitious plan to provide quality education to 130,000 students in Saudi Arabia and provide jobs to atleast 16,000 people – 40% of whom will be Saudi citizens.

Saudi Arabia’s government and GEMS Education formally signed this agreement during the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh.

It involved many executives from both parties, who said the following in an official statement:

“The partners intend to develop the network by acquiring and upgrading existing schools, alongside implementing a sizable construction program of new schools.”

Majed Al-Mutairi, the chief executive of GEMS, also added “GEMS Education, which is among the world’s oldest and largest private education providers, is a strong supporter of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

“The Vision’s focus on opening up public service sectors such as education highlights a commitment to developing human capital and allowing the private sector to enable long-term positive change for Saudi citizens,” he concluded.

Saudi Arabia’s long-term growth

This partnership will aim to grow the education market in the Kingdom and make it more attractive for investors over the long-term – it also hopes to create a strong, innovative and successful platform for education in Saudi Arabia.

And through the Saudi National Character Enrichment Program, the GEMS Education is aiming in delivering a strong emphasis on “national identity, global citizenship, individual development and personal enrichment.”