Education Ministry begins phased termination of 7,019 expatriate teachers
. . . ministry to address issue of 33,268-staff surplus; eyes 42 million dinars in annual savings
The Ministry of Education has begun implementing the first phase of a plan to address a surplus of teaching staff, with the services of 7,019 teachers from Arab and other nationalities set to be terminated.
The move is part of a gradual plan to align the number of teachers with the actual needs of schools, while giving greater priority to qualified Kuwaiti nationals and gradually expanding Kuwaitization in specializations where sufficient national talent is available.
According to the ministry, the first phase is expected to reduce the annual salary bill by about 42 million dinars. Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabai has directed the relevant departments to begin the implementation of the plan.
The ministry said appointments will increasingly be linked to the actual staffing requirements of schools, while expatriate teachers will continue to be recruited in specializations where there are insufficient qualified national candidates.
The ministry said affected teachers will be notified through the government’s Sahel application, in line with approved administrative and legal procedures and regulations, while ensuring their employment rights are addressed.
The ministry said Kuwait’s teaching workforce currently numbers about 91,761 male and female teachers, excluding those in supervisory positions. Kuwaitis account for about 70.6 percent of the total, while Gulf teachers and teachers classified as illegal residents represent about 10.1 percent. Teachers from Arab and other nationalities make up approximately 19.3 percent.
A ministry study identified an actual surplus of about 33,268 teachers across Kuwaiti and contracted teaching staff in several specializations, where staffing levels exceed the current needs schools.
The ministry stressed that the surplus will be addressed gradually and according to the requirements of each specialization. It said priority would be given to qualified Kuwaiti teachers, while future appointments would be based on actual vacancies and staffing needs.
According to statistics, the male teachers account for 22 percent of those affected by the first phase, or 1,551 teachers, while female teachers account for 78 percent, or 5,468.
Physical education and Islamic education are among the specializations with the largest numbers included in the termination plan. The seniority of appointment was also used as a criterion in determining those affected.
