High fees force expat students to quit Saudi Arabia schools

Riyadh, Dec 27: High fees at private schools in Saudi Arabia have forced over three lakh expatriate students to quit them because their parents cannot afford it, according to a report. "Most expat students are only allowed to study at private schools. Government schools do not accept expat students these days. However, these private schools are charging over $6,500 a year. Many parents cannot afford this," Malek Al-Ghamdi, an education researcher, was quoted as saying by Arab News. International schools have increased their fees by 20 to 30 percent this year, which has forced parents to withdraw their children. Some of them have said the fees have increased by $800, while quality has not improved.