Saudi Arabia to build 166 ‘schools without walls’ in push for community-based education

Dubai: In a first for Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom will build 166 “schools without walls” as part of a nationwide initiative to promote community education beyond the classroom.

The project, unveiled by Tatweer Building Company (TBC), the Ministry of Education’s infrastructure arm, signals a shift toward using educational spaces as community hubs after regular school hours.

The schools will be constructed in residential communities developed by the National Housing Company (NHC), known as NHC destinations, in six major urban cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Ihsa, Tabuk, and Medina.

Designed with a contemporary architectural vision, the facilities will serve as venues for educational, cultural, and recreational activities for residents during evenings and weekends.

The initiative reflects a growing recognition of schools as vital anchors for lifelong learning and hubs for social engagement within local communities.

The schools will feature modern, open designs tailored to the character of urban neighbourhoods, with shared spaces that foster connection between the campus and its surrounding environment.

Each facility will be integrated into community centres within the residential developments, reinforcing their role as accessible, inclusive gathering places beyond traditional school hours.

NHC destinations, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to improve quality of life, are known for their integrated planning, contemporary design, and broad range of services.

The “schools without walls” concept builds on this vision by blurring the line between formal education and community development.