Public education from primary through to university is free to all. Primary education is not co-educational but the enrolment of girls into school is nearly 96%. In secondary education pupils choose between vocational, technical or academic schools. Education is based on Islamic learning which critics claim creates a hatred for outsiders.
Higher education lasts for four years for most degrees, but up to six years for medicine, engineering or pharmacy. There are 24 government universities which offer bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Students can also undertake distance learning. Some private universities which separate men and women also exist.
Women are prevented from taking degrees in engineering, journalism and architecture. They are also forbidden from practising law. There is high illiteracy among older Saudi residents and in rural areas, and there is some disparity between literacy rates among men and women.
