Gulf Construction Online - 50,000 new schools to be set up across GCC

Regional News

50,000 new schools to be set up across GCC

01 September 2016

More than 50,000 schools are expected to be set up across the GCC by 2020 to address the growing school-going population that is estimated to reach 15 million in four years.

A GCC Education Industry report published by Alpen Capital said 41,678 schools will have been established throughout the GCC in the public education sector by 2020; and 9,301 schools in the private education market.

The report was revealed ahead of the International and Private Schools Education Forum (IPSEF) Middle East which will be held this month in Dubai, UAE.

“Experts estimate about 51,000 schools will be needed by 2020 to accommodate the growing demand for schools throughout the GCC,” said IPSEF co-founder Rhona Greenhill. “This will be a significant addition of 7,000 more schools than the current number to address the burgeoning school student population across the region.”

Saudi Arabia leads with 44,441 schools expected to be set up, followed by 2,054 in Oman and 1,497 in Kuwait. Next comes the UAE with 1,406, followed by Qatar with 1,107 and Bahrain with 503.

Last year alone, figures from the GCC Education Construction report identified more than 500 educational projects in various stages of development collectively worth more than $50 billion throughout the Gulf.

The projected capacity gap has prompted both public and private sector stakeholders, including international school operators to focus on the education market through increased government spending and long-term development strategies.

For instance, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman have allocated more than 20 per cent of their total budget this year towards the education sector, a figure higher than in most developed countries such as the US, UK and Germany, indicating the seriousness of their efforts to develop their education sector.

“The lead in time for the delivery of new schools is at least 24 months allowing for design and approvals in advance of a typical construction first phase of at least 14 months,” said Mark Ryder, Education Consultant – Daymer Group, one of the speakers featured at the event.

IPSEF aims to provide a reference point for all those involved in the financing, planning, design, delivery and management of a new school project.

IPSEF will take place from September 27 to 29 at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai.