Saudi Arabia will need over a million school places by 2020: PwC

Saudi Arabia will need over a million new school places by 2020 in grades 1 to 12, and 125,000 seats in post-secondary, according to a recent report by UK-based consultancy PwC.

About 150,000 of the seats required at school-level are expected to come from the private sector, the report added, noting that the number of private schools in the kingdom has been growing at 3 percent per annum, with the strongest growth being seen at the primary level.

“Private sector is having more impact at the primary level – with stronger growth levels seen against a decline in public sector enrolment,” PwC said, adding that the growing demand creates an opportunity for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The consultancy said it expects further growth in the private sector, but market share for private schools is unlikely to increase from around 11 percent to the aspirational 25 percent, unless fresh changes are implemented to encourage investment.

“With an already high university enrolment rate, predominantly at public institutions, the kingdom is facing budgetary pressure and a shortage of good alternatives to public universities. In the coming years, it will be crucial for the government to help deliver more private sector education provision,” said Sally Jeffery, PwC Partner, Middle East Education & Skills Practice Leader and Global Education Sector Leader.

Meanwhile, more Saudi students are expected to seek university places within the country following tightening restrictions on international visa and scholarship qualifications, the report said.

“Added pressure on funding public provision in the kingdom may mean additional demand for private institutions,” it added.