Saudi government has invited tenders from leading regional and global companies for construction and maintenance of 60 schools of different ranges - starting from kindergartens to secondary schools - in the Jeddah and Makkah regions of the kingdom, said a report.

The selection process is being done through Tatweer Buildings Company (TBC), a state-owned corporation that manages the kingdom's educational projects.

As per the deal, the winning bidder would be awarded a long-term concession to design, build, finance and maintain facilities for 60 schools in the two Saudi cities, reported Reuters.

The upcoming tender, the first in a series, is for a public-private partnership (PPP) in which a private firm or consortium would be paid to build and then operate facilities over a period, before they are eventually transferred to the state, it stated citing the TBC.

Potential bidders are requested to express interest by February 7, it added.