Saudi Arabia allows private schools to build separate on-campus student residential facilities/Representative Image
Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to improve the infrastructure of private educational institutions. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has unveiled new regulations that set clear standards for schools, nurseries, and learning complexes. Among the most notable changes is the allowance for residential facilities for students within school campuses, provided they are built separately from the main educational building.The move reflects a broader push to enhance safety, urban planning, and the overall learning environment in private schools and educational facilities.
Clear guidelines for private education buildings
The ministry’s updated municipal requirements apply to a wide range of private educational institutions. This includes nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and large educational complexes. The rules are designed to regulate not just the building structures but also the surrounding environment to ensure safe, well-planned, and functional educational spaces.The regulations cover buildings on land specifically designated for education, government-leased land, and even commercial land used for private schooling. By setting these standards, the ministry aims to optimise land use while creating a secure and integrated environment for students. According to the ministry, private educational buildings include facilities catering to general, international, and community, respectively. Some buildings may host more than one stage of learning, as long as they align with the approved classification system.
Planning, architecture, and site requirements
The new requirements are detailed and specific. Schools must follow architectural and planning standards, including:
- Buildings must be accessible from two streets, with at least one being 25 meters wide.
- The number of floors must comply with the approved building code, with mandatory setbacks observed.
- Nurseries can be located on a single street that is at least 15 metres wide, but only if they occupy a standalone building.
These measures ensure that educational institutions are not only well-designed but also integrated safely into the urban layout, providing ease of access and proper spacing around buildings.
Minimum land area per student
To create a comfortable learning environment, the ministry has defined minimum land area requirements per student, adjusted according to the region. These include:
- Kindergartens must allocate at least four square metres per student.
- The area gradually increases for higher educational stages, reaching five square metres per student in larger educational complexes.
This ensures that schools can accommodate the expected number of students while maintaining a safe and conducive environment for learning.