End of an era: Kuwait sets deadline to close residential-area schools, OKs Durra field site and e-planning system

Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdul Latif Al-Mashari has approved the Municipal Council’s decision to set the 2027–2028 academic year as the final deadline for cancelling approvals and licenses issued to private schools operating in private residential areas, paving the way for their closure by the Ministry of Education.

The decision was endorsed during the ratification of resolutions adopted by the Municipal Council at its meeting on December 8.

Eleven members voted in favor, while Ismail Behbehani, Sharifa Al-Shalafan, Munira Al-Amir, Farah Al-Roumi and Alia Al-Farsi abstained due to the absence of a technical opinion.

The move amends a 2023 decision that had granted a three-year grace period, replacing it with a firm deadline for vacating and cancelling licenses.

Al-Mashari also objected to three Municipal Council decisions. He rejected a proposal by Vice President Khaled Al-Mutairi to add car washing and polishing activities in Abu Fatira (Al-Qurain Markets) and the Al-Ardhiya Industrial Area, citing conflict with the technical opinion of the Executive Authority.

He further objected to a decision allowing the use of sidewalks for placing refreshment and water coolers for grocery and food product outlets, requesting that the proposal be studied within the broader road-occupancy regulations project.

He also rejected a proposal by member Nasser Al-Jadaan to create a temporary entrance to the Rumaithiya area from the Fahaheel Road service lane opposite Block 12, as it contradicted technical assessments by the Executive Authority.

At the same time, the minister approved a series of key decisions, including a request by the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy to allocate an absorption pit in the Abu Kharjin and Al-Subaiha area adjacent to the expansion site of the Al-Zour Water Distribution Complex, and the allocation of a site for the 36 RS wind shear station in the central region.

He also endorsed a proposal by council member Munira Al-Amir to adopt and activate an electronic system for reviewing engineering plans at the municipality, marking a step toward digital transformation in municipal services.

Among other approvals, Al-Mashari agreed to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s request to allocate a 683,715-square-metre site in the Al-Zour area for the Al-Durra field project in favor of the Kuwait Gulf Oil Company’s onshore processing facilities.

He also approved the Ministry of Finance’s request to add a fourth floor to residential buildings within a workers’ housing complex in the Subhan area, Block 11.

Further approvals included a request by the Ministry of Public Works to allocate a route for two temporary treated-water pipelines from the mobile treated water station in West Abdullah Al-Mubarak to an existing line on the Sixth Ring Road, and a request by the Ministry of Health to change the use of the insect control center in Jahra, Block 90, into a kidney dialysis center, with an additional 1,973.85 square meters added to bring the total area to 3,800 square meters.