Kuwait detects average of 36 forged academic certificates annually
An Equivalency Administration report revealed that from 2000 to 2025, authorities uncovered 889 forged academic certificates from some Arab countries, while only 57 were confirmed as genuine.
• Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, the Minister of Education, has formed a committee to investigate and verify high school certificates issued by Arab countries. The panel will ensure authenticity, refer invalid certificates to judicial authorities, and recommend disciplinary action where violations are proven.
As part of its commitment to safeguard the credibility of academic qualifications, the Ministry of Education continues to enforce strict measures against forgery and fraud, reported Al Rai newspaper. The ministry said these efforts aim to protect the education system from irregular practices while promoting transparency, integrity, and fairness.
The Private Education Sector has referred several suspicious academic certificates to the Public Prosecution after verifying their authenticity in line with regulations.
An educational report from the Equivalency Administration revealed that between 2000 and 2025, a total of 889 invalid academic certificates from certain Arab countries were uncovered, compared with only 57 that were verified as authentic. This equates to an average of 36 invalid certificates detected annually, most at the intermediate and secondary levels, which are immediately referred to the relevant authorities once confirmed invalid.
The report noted missing files for certificates issued before 2004 due to poor storage and relocation of the Private Education Administration. It stressed that equivalency is issued only to the concerned individual, a first-degree relative, or through official authorization.
Sources told the newspaper that recent cases referred to the Public Prosecution included a citizen who submitted forged certificates allegedly covering three secondary grades. After verification with a Gulf state, the documents were found to be false, and legal action was taken. Other individuals were also referred on similar charges after official correspondence confirmed their certificates were invalid.
Procedures in such cases involve referral to the Public Prosecution, followed by coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Civil Service Bureau for administrative and legal action, especially if the violator works in a government post.
New committee to review Arab high school certificates
Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, the Minister of Education, has formed a committee to investigate and verify high school certificates issued by Arab countries. The panel will ensure authenticity, refer invalid certificates to judicial authorities, and recommend disciplinary action where violations are proven. It has broad powers to request documents, coordinate with relevant bodies, and seek expert assistance to strengthen oversight and preserve the credibility of academic certification.
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