Saudi Arabia’s boost for education in needy countries with projects worth $5bn

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is giving special attention to the education sector, the general supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid And Relief Center (KSRelief), Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, has said.
This sector plays a vital role in sustainable development, the advancement of societies, the improvement in living conditions in needy countries and in taking vulnerable people from need to self-reliance.
“The Kingdom supported the educational process with various programs and projects that profited more than 2.3 million students in 32 countries. It cooperated with 27 partners including four United Nations organizations and programs. One hundred and thirty-two humanitarian and educational programs and projects were put in place with a total value of $5,212,929,000,” Al-Rabeeah explained.
“The Kingdom contributed in the construction of educational facilities with 51 projects, the covering of educational costs for refugees with two projects, scholarships with 33 projects, the improvement of the quality of education with two projects, the government’s support to the Ministry of Education with six projects, the rehabilitation and equipment of educational facilities with 10 projects and the provision of school supplies with 14 projects.
“It also carried out two projects through UN organizations, in addition to five projects to help students pursue their education, four projects for training, capacity building and skills acquisition, two projects to support the preparation of teachers and a single operational expenses project,” he added.
Al-Rabeeah pointed out that Yemen is top of the list of countries benefiting from humanitarian projects and programs carried out by the Kingdom in the educational sector, with 41 projects at a value of $1,880,570,000, while the rest of the projects have been implemented in many Asian, Arab and African countries.
“KSRelief has carried out 48 educational projects and programs in nine countries, benefiting more than 2 million students with a value of $93,663,000 in cooperation with 22 partners. These projects covered various educational sectors.
“Yemen was once again the country to benefit the most from KSRelief’s educational projects, with eight projects valued at $63,787,000.
“These efforts come as part of the humanitarian message of the Kingdom represented by KSRelief and according to King Salman’s and his crown prince’s directives to support brotherly and friendly countries. They aim to spread education among countries in need and their people, support schools and educational facilities with human resources and provide school supplies,” Al-Rabeeah noted.