Not all expat families in Riyadh have employer education allowances. For many, the cost of textbooks on top of tuition creates real hardship. Here is how used books through Kitaaby are helping.
The Expat Reality
Riyadh has one of the widest fee spreads of any international school market. Indian and community schools charge SAR 12,000-30,000. Mid-range British and American schools charge SAR 55,000-90,000. Premium schools reach SAR 150,000+. For lower-paid expats, every riyal counts.
The Hidden Textbook Burden
On top of tuition, textbooks can cost SAR 1,000-3,000 per child per year. As Arab News reported, "textbooks can cost over SAR 1,000" and many families "negotiate payments in installments with their school." For a family with 3 children, that is SAR 3,000-9,000 in books alone.
Community Solutions Already Exist
Parents already sell used curriculum books on informal marketplaces:
- Haraj.com.sa: Listings for "Cambridge IGCSE books" and "IGCSE books full set" — individual books for SAR 50-80, full sets for SAR 400.
- OpenSooq: "8 IGCSE books with online versions" — used books for sale.
- 3rbBazaar: "Used textbooks for all levels, Edexcel, Cambridge, CGP — available for FREE."
This shows real demand for affordable used curriculum books. But these platforms are unorganized — no quality checks, no delivery, no guarantees.
The Kitaaby Advantage
Kitaaby offers what informal marketplaces cannot:
- Quality-checked books: Every book is inspected and graded.
- Organized catalog: Search by curriculum, subject, and level.
- Home delivery: No need to meet strangers or drive across Riyadh.
- Bilingual platform: Full Arabic and English support.
- Giveaway option: Many books are completely free — you pay only delivery.
Real Savings Example
A family with two children at a British curriculum school needs 16 textbooks per year (8 subjects each). New, these cost approximately SAR 5,120. Through Kitaaby:
- Used priced books: SAR 1,536 - SAR 2,560 (50-70% saving)
- Giveaway books (if available): SAR 0 + delivery only
- Total potential saving: SAR 2,560 - SAR 5,120 per year
Browse used curriculum books or donate your child old textbooks.