Robert McNamara, Research Officer, SBJBC
Yasmin Al-Afaliq, Partner, Elaqat Law
The Saudi Arabian education landscape presents significant opportunities for British schools seeking international expansion. With Vision 2030 driving unprecedented investment in education and the Kingdom actively courting prestigious international institutions through initiatives like the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s School Attraction Program, understanding the regulatory framework becomes essential for successful market entry.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 marks a pivotal shift in the nation’s educational landscape, with far-reaching reforms aimed at ensuring that young Saudis and expatriate children receive world-class education. The market value of the education sector is expected to grow from $4bn in 2017 to $15billion by 2030, driven by the country’s increasing population, increased enrolment in private schools, and increased tuition fees. This transformation has opened the door to significant opportunities for the UK Independent School sector, particularly as demand amongst the domestic population to access high-calibre education systems, without the need to travel abroad, grows.
