'Schools or Restaurants?' Debate Erupts Over Private School Closures in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Education's decisive action to revoke the licenses of several private schools has ignited a significant public discussion, with parents and educational stakeholders questioning the abrupt nature of the closures. While the ministry asserts that sufficient opportunities were provided for schools to correct their non-compliance, the decision has undeniably caused disruption.

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These are schools, not restaurants, and it is wrong to close them in this manner. Have the students who were transferred been considered, and the impact on them, and the overcrowding of other schools? Have the male and female teachers been considered?

Critics, like media personality Daoud Al-Sharyan, have voiced strong opinions, likening the closures to shutting down restaurants rather than educational institutions and highlighting the potential negative effects on students' educational continuity and the increased strain on other schools. This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the welfare of students and the stability of the teaching profession.

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The ministry is continuously monitoring the commitment of private education facilities to regulatory and educational requirements in coordination with the relevant authorities, to ensure the safety of performance and the stability of the educational process.

However, the Ministry of Education, through its spokesperson Mona Al-Ajmi, maintains that all actions are taken within a structured regulatory framework designed to ensure the quality and safety of the educational environment. The ministry emphasizes its commitment to supporting affected families in finding suitable alternative placements for their children and to monitoring the situation of educators, particularly Saudi teachers, to maintain stability within the education sector. The focus remains on upholding licensing requirements and ensuring the integrity of private education in the Kingdom.

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The ministry is working with families to ensure the smooth transfer of students to suitable alternative schools, while monitoring the situation of educational staff, especially Saudi teachers, which supports the stability of the educational field.