Saudi Arabia to close almost 10,000 schools

The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has revealed that it is planning to close or merge almost 10,000 schools by the start of the next academic year, Thenewkhalij.org reported on Friday.

Officials have taken this decision after a survey of schools in the Kingdom found that there are too many with fewer than 20 pupils and just four to six teachers. Such schools are uneconomic, as the cost per pupil raises to 200,000 Saudi Riyals per annum.

The survey also found that 9,553 out of a total of 24,000 government schools have fewer than 100 pupils each. A similar survey was carried out in 2014, followed by the closure of a significant number of schools.

The measures being taken, explained the ministry, should lead to more cost-efficient institutions and improve the education of offer.

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