School bells ring tomorrow for 40,000 first-graders in Kuwait
Students from the remaining grades will return on Tuesday, bringing the total number of learners in 1,141 public and private schools to 519,000, including 422,000 in public schools and 97,000 in private schools.
• 88 new titles have been printed and all textbooks from kindergarten to ninth are expected to be delivered within the first week of the new school year.
• In primary schools, class time has been reduced from 45 to 40 minutes, making room for a seventh period in the daily timetable. Students will have two breaks: a 30-minute first break and a 15-minute second break.
As schools reopen on Monday, around 40,000 first-grade students will begin classes, followed on Tuesday by the remaining primary, middle, and secondary students, bringing the total to about 519,000 learners — 422,000 in government schools and 97,000 in private institutions.
Educational sources said schools have so far received around 40 percent of the new textbooks, printed under updated curricula prepared on the instructions of Minister of Education Engineer Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, to align with 21st-century skills, Al Jarida newspaper reported.
Timing of school periods
The sources said the relevant authorities have completed receiving quantities of new textbooks, which are now being distributed to schools according to the established plan. They noted that 88 new titles have been printed, and confirmed that all textbooks from kindergarten to ninth are expected to be delivered within the first week of the new school year.
They added that the ministry has approved the official schedule for the three stages—primary, middle, and secondary. In primary schools, class time has been reduced from 45 to 40 minutes, making room for a seventh period in the daily timetable. Students will also have two breaks: a 30-minute first break and a 15-minute second break. Attendance will begin at 7:15 a.m. with the morning assembly and end at 1:15 p.m. after the last period.
Training courses
The sources further stated that technical directorates are intensifying efforts to hold training courses for department heads and teachers to familiarize them with the new curricula, the use of textbooks, and updated teaching methods in line with the philosophy of the revised materials. These courses will continue this week and next until all staff have been fully trained.
1,400 buses set to transport students
They also confirmed that 1,400 buses are ready to transport students to and from schools, ensuring a safe learning environment and easing concerns for parents.
Meanwhile, the competent authorities have completed assigning the work locations of those who succeeded in supervisory positions of school principal and assistant principal. Decisions have been issued and delivered electronically, with principals and assistants beginning work in their new schools. Work is also underway to finalize appointments of new department heads, whose decisions will be issued within two days to cover school vacancies.
800 teachers and 183 administrators appointed
The Ministry of Education announced that 800 teachers and 183 administrators have been appointed to fill vacancies, while transfer decisions were issued for 1,380 teachers and secondment decisions for 687 principals and assistant principals, who began work in their new schools today.
The ministry added that coordination is underway with the Ministry of Health to open school clinics in newly established schools, and with the Food Authority to implement the approved list of permitted foods in school cafeterias. In addition, 1,400 buses have been provided to transport students safely to and from schools, ensuring both a secure learning environment and the comfort of parents.
Back-to-school campaign
In a related development, the ministry launched a joint national back-to-school campaign in cooperation with 10 government agencies under the slogan “Our Students Are a Nation’s Treasure.” The participating entities include the Ministries of Interior, Education, Information, Health, and Social Affairs, along with the General Fire Force, the Juvenile Prosecution, the Government Communication Center, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Public Authority for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities.
According to the announcement, the initiative is part of broader national efforts to promote a safe educational environment and protect students from security, behavioral, and legal risks, while also instilling the values of citizenship and belonging.
The participating authorities emphasized that the campaign seeks to raise awareness and educate students on security, legal, and educational issues. It targets students in government and private schools, as well as those in special education, while also including parents, teachers, and administrators.
This comprehensive approach aims to spread awareness across all segments of the educational community and strengthen cooperation among institutions to safeguard future generations.
