The annual statistics of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that there were 221,820 school-aged children in Kuwait not enrolled in schools during the year 2023. An educational source confirmed that the numbers included 60,790 children of primary school age, 81,180 middle school boys, and 79,850 students of secondary school age. According to Al-Rai, the numbers mentioned in the statistic include Kuwaiti and expatriate children.

The source described the statistic as ‘frightening and offensive at the same time, as the number of students deprived of education did not exceed 12,000 in 2008, emphasizing the need to enact legislative laws that require expatriates to teach their children.

He pointed out that the ministry said, “There is a large number of children of some communities, estimated at thousands, studying in the (home education) system, and then examining the courses applied in their countries. In addition, some foreign residents send their children to study in their countries of origin, while the children’s residence remains valid.”

“The poor electronic linkage in the Ministry of Education, between public and private schools, has resulted in several Kuwaiti students appearing in the UNESCO statistics, including many children of diplomats working abroad, some students enrolled in foreign schools, and some children of family disintegration” he mentioned.

He added, “There are also cases of Kuwaiti students in the statistics, including some students with disabilities, so the state must support the private sector in attracting them with all their disabilities and categories. ” At the same time, he highlighted the importance of addressing the administrative errors which led to Kuwaiti students getting included in the statistic, despite being enrolled in private schools.

The source concluded, “These numbers mentioned in the statistics mean that the percentage of those deprived of education is equivalent to 10 percent, which is a very high portion and harms the reputation of Kuwait’s educational system.”


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