Education
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2013
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Saudi Arabia’s booming export economy and record budget surpluses have provided a golden opportunity to reinvest these profits in the country’s future. The education sector has thus been designated a chief priority. More than half of the Kingdom’s population is under the age of 25, with close to 30% under 15. These numbers make providing a strong education system an even higher priority. As of 2012, unemployment hovered around 10% among Saudi nationals, whereas among expatriates it was just 2%. While demand-side measures may help in the short run, increasing the employment of Saudis in the long term will depend on aligning education with the needs of the job market. Increasing cooperation from the private sector in terms of expanded training programmes and collaborative research and development projects should also assist efforts to create more jobs outside of the oil and gas industry.

This chapter includes interviews with Khalid Al Sultan, Rector, King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM); and Khaled Al Sabti, Vice-Minister of Education and Chairman, Tatweer Education Holding.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Knowledge is power: Investing in schools and universities is a top priority for the future
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Tying together every current long-term social and economic development plan for Saudi Arabia is the increased participation of non-hydrocarbons industries in the economy. But key to delivering on this aim are the abilities of its population and the knowledge of its future leaders to successfully navigate from a resource-based, export-oriented economy to a more diversified one with greater value added. Recognising that an efficient education system is central to success as it provides the skills necessary…

Analysis

Offering an alternative: Private institutions look set to play a growing role in the sector
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Running in parallel to the Kingdom’s state-funded drive to enhance the sector is an influx of private schools sprouting up across the country. Although only 10% of Saudi students attend one of the 840-odd private schools, according to the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), these institutions offer strong alternatives for those willing to pay for them. Much of the new demand is driven by socio-economic and demographic trends that have meant more families now have the means to afford…

Interview

OBG talks to Khalid Al Sultan, Rector, King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
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Interview: Khalid Al Sultan What is the private sector’s role in research? KHALID AL SULTAN: The private sector is increasingly realising the benefits of greater investment in research and development. The Eastern Province, in particular, is strong in this regard, due to the strength of the educational institutions and geographical advantages. For companies to gain the most value from this type of collaboration, it is important to form medium- and long-term strategic alliances with research…

Interview

OBG talks to Khaled Al Sabti, Vice-Minister of Education and Chairman, Tatweer Education Holding
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Interview: Khaled Al Sabti The education sector is currently undergoing major changes. Could you elaborate on this transformation and the rationale behind it? KHALED AL SABTI: Saudi Arabia is embarking on a journey to improve its education system, and provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to succeed. Our journey is guided by a new Education Development Strategy that puts students and schools at the centre of our investment and development efforts. Student learning drives everything…

Analysis

Training day: Vocational and technical training programmes are key to boosting the employment of nationals
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Bridging the gap between secondary school graduates and university alumni, technical and vocational colleges and training programmes are a crucial component of the country’s drive to get more Saudis off the unemployment roster and into the workforce. Recognising the importance of this educational segment, the government has devoted SR23.14bn ($6.17bn) in resources to technical and vocational training under its current five-year development plan, representing a 41.6% increase over the previous plan’s…

Analysis

Investing in the future: Substantial financial resources will support sector development
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Over the past five years, a spotlight has been cast on the Saudi education system as the government has renewed its efforts to improve a sector that is crucial to the Kingdom’s long-term social and economic development plans. Education accounted for approximately 24% of the government’s entire planned budget for 2012 and 26% the previous year. The benefactor of SR169bn ($45.04bn) in government spending in 2012 (a 13% increase over the SR150bn, or $39.98bn, in 2011), general education, higher…