Guide to Philippine Schools in Riyadh

So you've got your visa to sunny Riyadh (plus family visa too!)... but what about your kids? Will they be able to go to a DepEd accredited school? The answer is YES! There are currently a lot of Philippine Schools in Riyadh and other cities in the Kingdom. In fact, Eyecandy and I are proud graduates of Elite International School and International Philippine School in Riyadh. Laking Saudi talaga :)

(Photo credits: http://dexfamily.wordpress.com)

The first ever school in Riyadh is the International Philippine School in Riyadh (formerly the Philippine Embassy School in Riyadh). In the late 90's, other International Schools were established. As of press time, the schools that are still in operation in Riyadh are: 

     1. International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR)
     2. Second Philippine International School (SPIS)
     3. Elite International School (EIS)
     4. Riyadh International School (RIS)
     5. Future Generation Philippine International School (FGPIS)
     6. Al Danah International School (ADIS)
     7. Millenium International School (MIS)
     8. Al Taj International School (ATIS)
     9. Palm Crest International School (PCIS)
     10. Fawaq International School (FIS)

Majority of the Philippine schools are located around the Riyadh Military Hospital and Suleimaniah Area. It's like the U-belt of Pinoy Expats here. :))

Levels Offered
Most schools offer Pre-Elementary, Elementary and High School education, however some schools like IPSR offer Post-Secondary Courses such as Computer Science, Business Management and Liberal Arts. SPIS also offer IT Occupational Courses such as CISCO training courses and introductory computer courses.

What if you relocate to Saudi Arabia in the middle of the School Year? 

That's not a problem. Most of the Philippine schools will accept enrollees even in the middle of the school year, to help OFW's adjust to Saudi life faster. But they will need all of your child's school documents in compliance with DepEd regulations.

Documents that you MUST bring to enroll your child

The documents required for admission would depend on the grade level of your child, but here is a list of documents usually required to enroll your child here in Riyadh:

     1. Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
     2. Iqama of Parents (Photocopy)
     3. Passport of Parents (Photocopy)
     4. 6 pcs of colored 1x1 ID picture
     5. Student's Passport
     6. Original Report Card
     7. Form 137
     8. Honorable Dismissal from last school attended
     9. Certificate of Good Moral Character

  

Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees vary per school but generally the tuition rates are around 4000 - 4500 SR per year plus 500 SR miscellaneous fee. You can pay for this in lump, quarterly or monthly installment. There are also schools that offer graduated discounts for the next child.

For example, IPSR offers "graduated discount for the 2nd & 3rd siblings; whereas the 4th child enjoys 50% tuition fee discount and the 5th child is free from tuition fee." (IPSR website)

Scholarships

Again this depends if the school is actually offering a scholarship grant. For example, RIS offers scholarships and tuition fee deductibles for consistent top-notchers in class.

The Curriculum
Philippine schools in Riyadh follow the prescribed curriculum from DepEd. Your child will still be studying English, Math, Science, Araling Panlipunan or Sibika, Filipino, MAPE, THE and Computer. Most of the time, they will also be required to study Saudi History, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, which are mandated by the Saudi Ministry of Education.

School Activities

Schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities like Intramurals, Field Demonstrations during the schools' Foundation Week, Quizbees, Literary Contests, Science Congress and JS Promenades among others. Students may also join non-academic clubs, school newspapers, CAT, basketball and volleyball varsities and Student Council Organizations.

School Facilities and Services

Photo Credit: http://dexfamily.wordpress.com

Most schools would have a Clinic, Science laboratory, AVR room, Computer room, Home Economics room, Bookstores and Canteen. Quadrangles are also used for school activities and ball games like basketball and volleyball. School bus service is also offered by most Philippine schools.

Tutoring
Some schools will offer tutoring service for children who are having a hard time coping with lessons. The rates vary per school but rates would be around 200 SR per subject.

Gender Segregation

In most schools, students are sectioned by gender and not by scholastic standing. This is also a directive from the Ministry of Education that boys and girls should not mix on campus. Usually, only the Elementary students are allowed to attend a mix gender classroom.

Classroom Size

The average number of students per class would be around 20-30 students. Some schools provide armchairs, while others provide desks and chairs for each student. Most rooms are air-conditioned and use white board instead of the traditional blackboards.

 
Well, there you have it. I think this covers most of the basic details about Philippine schools in Riyadh. We hope this post will prove helpful to our Kababayans who are planning to bring their children to Saudi Arabia. :)

All the best, 

Sampaguita Pride

Q&A Portion 2

Our Formspring is getting lots of questions! Yey! Keep 'em coming! :) Here's the second batch of Q&A.

1. Hey Tarha ladies, you know a catering service for an event? There's an upcoming celebration but I'm not good in cooking & I'm tired from work to prepare for such a party. Please give me any contact person that will help me. Thanks.

Are you looking for Filipino dishes for your party? Most Filipino/Thai restaurants offer catering services. You just have to tell them how many guests you'll be having and they'll whip up your choice dishes good for your event. La Paz Batchoy Restaurant (01-4779647) in Suleimania offers Filipino viands. Try their kare-kare, adobo ribs, and sisig. Kruathai Filipino/Thai Restaurant (01-4647228), also in Suleimania, makes good pad thai, curries, and spring rolls. Peking Restaurant (01-4765250) has, you guessed it, Chinese cuisine! Villa Restaurant in Umalhamam is a favorite too. Home makers who turned their cooking passion into business can also be contacted for catering. TitaMariyah's is good for a large gathering.

2. Just wanna ask where Citymax is? i'm near Euromarche in Thakassusi. Hope you could help, thanks! :)

CityMax is like SM. It's almost everywhere. The nearest branch in your place that we could think of is the one in Thalateen Street. Eyecandy, who's living near your place, shops in that CityMax branch. There's a bigger CityMax near Sahara Mall, along King Abdulaziz Road. Farther ones would be in Khurais Road and somewhere along the road to IKEA (Exit 15).

3. Are the Philippine schools there okay? Are the students well-attended to and the education system okay? - Gabby

Good question! Eyecandy, who studied here in Riyadh (and who has a brother studying high school here now) is preparing an entry about Filipino schools in Riyadh. Please stay tuned.

4. Among all the Filipino schools in Riyadh, which can you recommend? Which has good feedback from the parents?

We can't say for sure which is the best but we know personal friends whose children are studying in the Second Philippine International School (SPIS) and Palm Crest International School (PCIS). Eyecandy studied in the International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR) and Elite International School. Stay tuned for E's entry on this.

5. Are there companies [in Saudi Arabia] that accept female graphic designers? Thanks so much for the answers. God bless.

We don't know of any companies here in Saudi Arabia that hire female graphic designers through employment agencies in the Philippines. But if you're already here (through a dependent visa), you might get a freelance job. You can also be hired locally but graphic design works for women are really rare.

6. Kung mahilig ako sa night clubs, can you recommend Saudi Arabia as a place where I can work?

Nope.

7. What is the worst thing about living in Saudi Arabia?

Getting homesick and for us girls, not having the freedom we're used to in the Philippines. Feel free to browse around the blog so you know what we're totally missing (example: commuting in jeepneys and LRT).

6. I was going to write a little parody note like "Omigod, I'm like soooo amazed at you guys, you're like totally sick" but then I thought you might take it wrong. I will say "f'reals" that writing in this blog is topnotch - fun, witty, breezy. The writing is simply excellent and your design is awesome. Regards from Veeds of Arabia.

Why, thank you! Yes, we're really totally sick (in the head) sometimes. Hahaha. Thank you for the good words and please do visit our blog again.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask! The Pink Tarha ladies will do our best to find the answers for you.