Saudi Arabia’s Medina, a major pilgrimage site for Muslims worldwide, is preparing to enter a new phase with the education ministry pairing up with Tatweer to launch a joint initiative. The initiative aims to significantly reduce the proportion of rented school buildings over the next few years.
Fahad Al-Hammad, CEO of Tatweer, said that the partnership program between the private and public sectors aimed to erecting 60 school buildings in Medina before 2023. Buildings maintenance and management will belong to the private sector for 20 years.
A public-private partnership model helps contribute to the development of the education sector by benefiting from the refined private sector’s expertise in completing educational infrastructure projects.
Nasser Al-Abd Al-Karim, Director General of Education in Medina, said that public school buildings, which include various facilities, are a fundamental pillar to the educational process and a catalyst for innovation and excellence.
He highlighted that the initiative seeks to eliminate leased school buildings over the next five years, making the percentage of public school buildings 100 percent government-owned. Karim stressed that the buildings will be established according to international standards and strive to provide students with an appropriate and attractive educational environment and.
The initiative has been supported by Medina Governor Faisal bin Salman and relevant state bodies. The initiative, which is being implemented on a number of stages, is expected to take place with the participation of Tatweer.
