SAUDI ARABIA has approved 5,700 new educational development projects worth SR54 billion ($14.3 billion), said a report.

The new projects were aimed at creating a qualitative improvement in the country’s educational environment, Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal was quoted as saying in the Arab News report.

The projects include 1,500 nurseries, 500 educational complexes, 800 large schools, 400 small schools and renovation of 2,500 school buildings.

New projects worth SR2.5 billion ($666 million) were also signed for universities in Taif, Jazan, Hail, Tabuk and Majmaa, and Prince Salman University, said the report.

They include the second phase of the medical college project in Taif and third phase of student hostels. 

Meanwhile, the ministry aims to include all schools in its electronic web by 2017, said the report.

The project to provide all schools with the electronic web comes under the ministry’s plans to implement the electronic learning concept in all classes, adding that the plan will involve installing smart boards, it said. It is expected to be completed in five months.