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Education is at the forefront of the Saudi Government's priorities. As the bedrock for the progress of nations, the education sector has witnessed important developments since the founding of the first Ministry of Education in 1953. Thousands of elementary, intermediate and secondary schools have been established, i n addition to colleges, higher institutes and seven universities.

Education Statistics
The number of students at all levels of education rose from 600,000 in 1969 - 1970 (1389 - 1390 H) to some 4 million in 1996. The average annual increase during this period was 7.1% for male students and 13% for female students. The number of schools and colleges run by the Ministry of Education (responsible for boys education) and the General Presidency for Girls' Education increased from 3,283 in 1969 - 1970 (1389 - 1390 H) to 22,000 in 1994 - 1995 (1414 - 1415 H). Schools for boys rose from 2,654 in 1969 - 1970 (1389- 1390 H) to 10,419 in 1992 - 1993 (1412 - 1413 H), an annual increase of 6%. Schools for girls grew from 453 in 1969 - 1970 (1389 - 1390 H) to 10,558 in 1994 - 1995 (1414 -
1415 H), an annual increase of 13.8%. he number of graduates of higher education, male and female, increased from 808 in 1969 - 1970 (1389 - 1390 H) to 5,124 in 1979 - 1980 (1399 - 1400 H) and to 12,812 in 1984 - 1985 (1404 - 1405 H) . In 1994 - 1995 (1414 - 1415 H) the number of male and female university graduates reached 23,074.

EDUCATION
* Source Ministry of Planning, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The government's awareness of the key role of quality manpower in the social and economic development of the Kingdom has prompted it to give bountiful support to the education sector. The Saudi government provides general education for both boys and girls, through the Ministry of Education, the General Presidency of Girls Education and other specialized agencies. General education in the Kingdom consists of six years of primary school and three years each of intermediate and high school. The government provides free general and higher education (post secondary), and financial help for male and female students in some areas of general education. University students receive financial help and free housing. In addition, meals, books, and transportation are provided at subsidized prices. Female students are provided with free transportation.

To meet the manpower needs of the Kingdom in the long term and the increasing demand for higher education, sixteen universities and colleges have been established, offering subjects from engineering, medicine, and geology to social and Islamic studies. During the period 1989-1993 the number of elementary schools increased from 8,370 to more than 10,000; the number of intermediate schools from 2,884 to more than 4000; the number of secondary schools from 1,103 to more than 1,700, and the number of teacher training colleges from 40 to 43. However, the sixth development plan targets for female and male graduates in general education and graduates at bachelor degree level by university are presented in tables 6 and 7 respectively.

Sixth Plan Targets for Male and Female Graduates in General Education
(Thousand)

Male Graduates
Stage	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	PlanTotal
Elementary	141	144	148	150	153	157	752
Intermediate	89	92	95	97	101	104	489
Secondary	40	43	47	51	56	61	258
Teacher College**	4	5	5	6	6	6	28
Female Graduates
Elementary	135	143	152	163	171	181	810
Intermediate	79	89	95	105	113	125	527
Secondary	51	55	59	64	70	77	325
Teacher College**	6	7	8	10	11	12	48

** Four academic years after secondary stage; graduates are granted bachelor degrees.
*** Two academic years after secondary stage; graduates are granted diplomas.

Sixth Plan Targets: Higher Education New Entrants and Graduates at Bachelor Level by University
(1995-1999)

	New Entrants			Graduates
University	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
King Saudi University	26,000	14,595	40,595	21,880	9,730	31,610
King Abdul Aziz University	27,176	17,936	45,112	15,002	12,970	27,972
King Fahd University	6,833	4,538	11,371	3,418	3,129	6,547
King Fahd U. of Ptro.&Minrls.	6,000	------	6,000	3,322	------	3,322
Islamic University	5,990	--------	6,000	3,322	------	4,300
Imam University	33,280	7,285	40,565	24,515	4,085	28,600
Umm AL- Qura University	10,825	9,195	20,020	6,945	6,340	13,285
Girls Colleges	------	75,396	75,396	-------	50,885	50,885
Total	116,104	128,945	245,049	79,382	87,139	166,521

Substantial progress has also been made in the field of technical education and vocational training through the establishment of well-equipped and properly-staffed training institutes. The formation of s skilled Saudi labor force raises productivity levels and thereby makes important contribution to economic development. The Saudi government has exerted tremendous efforts to expand the Kingdom’s vocational training system, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to meet the challenges of economic development and technological change. Table (8) shows the sixth development plan targets for graduates of technical education during the plan period 1994-1999.

Sixth Plan Growth Targets for Graduates of Technical Education

Field of Study	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	Total
Technical Colleg	1,945	2,147	2,362	2,653	2,985	3,362	13,509
Industrial Secondary Schools	2,100	2,740	2,952	3,189	3,457	3,758	16,096
Commercial Secondary Schools	2,250	2,927	3,220	3,610	4,150	4,943	18,850
Agricultural Secondary Schools	226	303	373	446	521	598	2,241
Technical Supervisors Institute	476	506	576	682	843	1,101	3,708
Electronics Institute	----	-----	180	200	230	260	870
Total	6,997	8,623	9,663	10,780	12,186	14,022	55,274

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