Minister of Education launches study to revamp school curricula

• The Ministry of Education is overhauling the curricula from first to ninth grade to align with modern standards, aiming to strengthen national identity and instill values of loyalty and belonging to Kuwait and its political leadership.

Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, the Minister of Education, chaired a meeting with the acting Assistant Undersecretary for General Education, the acting Assistant Undersecretary for Curricula, the Director of the Curriculum Development Department, and all subject supervisors, reported Arabic daily Al Jarida.

During the meeting, the minister instructed all supervisors and officials from the relevant departments to submit a comprehensive initial vision for restructuring and revising the curricula for all subjects from first to ninth grade.

He emphasized that this effort requires a complete reformulation based on scientific and educational standards, considering global developments while aligning with national values. The revisions aim to foster a sense of belonging, loyalty, creativity, and active citizenship among students.

The minister also emphasized that the objectives of the curriculum changes include instilling national values and strengthening Kuwaiti cultural identity in students’ minds through content that highlights Kuwait’s history, the role of political leadership in development, and the people’s awareness in facing challenges.

He noted that a subject such as ‘Social Studies’ will serve as a key platform for introducing students to the nation’s status and history, while ensuring this goal is integrated across other academic subjects.

The minister instructed each academic subject directive to form nine specialized teams for a comprehensive curriculum review, covering educational, cognitive, and psychological aspects. These teams, comprising ministry and education field members, will balance academic vision with practical realities.

Engineer Al-Tabtabaei emphasized the importance of involving educational experts in developing curriculum concepts. He called for experienced teachers and educational and psychological researchers to ensure quality, align curricula with student and societal needs, and foster the development of a conscious, intellectually capable generation.

Al-Tabtabaei stressed that the new curricula should be interconnected, not fragmented. For instance, the national concept in social studies should be reinforced with a Quranic verse in Islamic education and patriotic poetry in Arabic. This integrated approach will instill values and concepts comprehensively, strengthening students’ sense of loyalty, belonging, and national pride.

The meeting also discussed ways to enhance integration between departments involved in curriculum development, stressing the need for effective mechanisms to ensure coordination and follow-up during the concept development phase. This would ensure clear roles and seamless integration within institutional work.

Two-week deadline set for curriculum overhaul

The minister highlighted the importance of establishing a clear timeline and a comprehensive matrix for curriculum content across all targeted grades. He set a deadline of two weeks for completing these concepts, in preparation for their presentation to higher committees for approval and implementation according to a precise, well-thought-out schedule.

Al-Tabtabaei concluded by emphasizing that curriculum reform is central to educational development and that the ministry is committed to creating a national education system aligned with Kuwait’s principles and future ambitions.