Large education companies making inroads in MENA

Companies like Pearson, Kaplan, and McGraw Hill offering services in the Middle East

While several US-based VC firms are increasingly looking at the MENA region for companies to invest in, they aren't the only ones who see the Middle East and North Africa as a big opportunity: several large education companies are expanding into the Middle East as well, driven by the region's growing demand for education technology and resources.

Pearson, for example, is one global education company that has been actively expanding its presence in the Middle East, offering different English language curriculums, including its British curriculum, called iProgress, which is the company's series of academic qualifications and resources for 3 to 19 year olds for international schools.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, meanwhile, has 25 subjects covered, 148 textbooks, and over 4,000 interactive learning activities, while the Pearson Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) International helps prepares students for further study at university. BTEC courses emphasise skills-based learning and are designed around themed units in subjects such as business, IT, performing arts, science, travel and tourism, and sports.

"Here in the Middle East, our qualifications have equipped thousands of students with the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to progress onto the next stage of their education or career. Our qualifications are recognised by top universities all around the world and are viewed by employers as a sign of real-world skills and workplace expertise," the company says on its website.

"We are proud to also be able to deliver materials and resources to accompany our qualifications to ensure optimal outcomes for schools and students. Whether you follow the British curriculum, the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, or a mix of both, we can support your teaching and learning journey with resources, qualifications and support for students aged 3 to 19."

McGraw Hill also has been increasing its activities in the Middle East, including a partnership with Maarif Education in February, which made McGraw Hill the exclusive learning partner for Maarif Education, across all 10 of its campuses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also provided Maarif Education access to McGraw Hill's content in both print and digital formats, as well as to resources from third-party publishers through a single provider.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Maarif Education to transform education in Saudi Arabia. McGraw Hill is dedicated to enhancing learning outcomes for learners at all stages, and we see this partnership as a significant step toward achieving that goal," Lefteris Souris, SVP and Managing Director for K-12/School with McGraw Hill's International group, said about the collaboration.

"Together, we will provide the best K-12 education in the Kingdom, equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the digital age."

The same month, McGraw Hill also announced the launch of a new English Language Teaching (ELT) course designed to help young learners around the world take their first steps towards learning English. The six-level course called All Sorts was made available to schools in Mexico, Colombia, Asia and the Middle East.

Another education company expanding to MENA is Cengage Group, a provider of American educational content, technology, and services for higher education, K–12, professional, and library markets.

The company, which operates in more than 20 countries around the world, has product lines that include 4LTR Press, Aplia, Cengage Learning PTR, Chilton, Education To Go, Gale, Milady, MindTap, and National Geographic Learning. The last of those has made a number of partnerships in the MENA region: in 2021 it partnered with the Egyptian Ministry of Education, providing grade 4-6 curriculum to nearly seven million students in Egypt, and in 2022 the company announced a collaboration with Talemia, a Saudi Arabian public investment fund company, to provide the Ministry of Education with learning materials for up to 150,000 students in grades 11-12.

"At Cengage Group, we strongly believe in education for employment — empowering learners by providing the skills and competencies they need to find employment and lead choice-filled lives," said Alexander Broich, President of Cengage Select, and General Manager for English Language Teaching.

"Saudi Vision 2030 will enable the next generation of Saudi professionals to succeed in tomorrow's labor market. Our partnership with Talemia is a fantastic way to prepare future-ready professionals for an increasingly competitive job market." 

Kaplan, known for its test preparation and professional education services, and is also making inroads into the Middle Eastern market, including its office in Dubai.

In 2021, the company entered into a partnership with ConnecME Education, a provider of international education solutions in MENA to offer Kaplan’s Credegree to deliver educational training and workforce solutions to upskill university students and working professionals across the region.

(Image source: medium.com)