‘Education’ introduces five-year comprehensive plan covering all sectors
. . . part of a larger strategy to optimize human and financial resources, support students’ learning experiences, and elevate the status of education as a cornerstone of Kuwait’s comprehensive development.
Minister of Education Eng. Jalal Al-Tabtabaei has issued a ministerial decree approving a comprehensive educational calendar covering the next five academic years. The unprecedented move aims to provide long-term stability to Kuwait’s education system while enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
Al-Tabtabaei explained that the calendar regulates study schedules, exam dates, vacations, and periods for transfers, registrations, and supervisory appointments.
It applies across all educational sectors — general, religious, special, and adult education — giving schools and administrative bodies the ability to plan curricula and activities in a structured and efficient manner.
The new system clearly defines the start and end of academic years, exam schedules, and vacation periods. It also sets electronic transfer windows for teaching and administrative staff, registration dates for kindergartens and new students, and student transfer periods between public and private schools. This level of organization aims to maximize the effectiveness of each school day while minimizing disruptions.
Al-Tabtabaei highlighted the Ministry’s flexibility in scheduling the last week of Ramadan as a holiday for both students and staff, ensuring that study plans remain on track without affecting the total number of school days. This approach balances the need for organized breaks with uninterrupted educational progress.
The new calendar also addresses a long-standing problem of mass absences between holidays, which previously led to wasted resources such as electricity, water, transportation, and support services, without contributing to actual learning.
According to the Ministry, this planning could save approximately 51 million Kuwaiti dinars in financial waste while improving classroom effectiveness.
“Regular school attendance is not just a formal obligation; it is a national duty,” Al-Tabtabaei said. “Commitment to attendance is essential for building students’ character, developing their skills, and ensuring that every school day contributes meaningfully to education and upbringing.”
The Ministry aims to instill a culture of discipline and seriousness, emphasizing that student absences undermine educational outcomes and reduce the impact of teachers’ and administrators’ efforts.
Follow The Times Kuwait on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates
