RIYADH: Saudi Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh on Monday said his ministry is working on plans to attract investors to operate special education and boarding schools in the Kingdom. Setting up the General Department for International and Foreign Schools within the organizational structure of the Private Education Agency aims to support investors in the sector, and develop and organize governance, including working procedures, he added. The Education Ministry, he said, is the sole authority for issuing licenses and providing consultations regarding foreign education. Al-Asheikh underscored the importance of the long-term relations between the ministry and representatives of private and nonprofit sectors and investors. He said the ministry will provide all kinds of support to enhance investment in the education sector, and increase the number of international schools and academies “in a way that enhances our educational outcomes.” The ministry, he added, will reconsider the criteria and requirements for founding governmental and private educational institutions according to factors such as cities, villages and human density.