Our Education: Between the Legacy of the Mubarak Era and the Earthquake of Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Mohammed Al-Sharika: Education in Kuwait has never been merely about schools, curricula, and class schedules; it has always been the story of an entire society. It is the story of fathers and mothers who believed that knowledge is the only path to security and progress. From the simple traditional schools (kuttab) that taught children their first letters, to Al-Mubarakiya School, which was born in 1911 from sincere popular effort, to the establishment of Kuwait University in 1966 as a great national dream... Education has always been the pulse of the Kuwaiti project and a source of pride.
Over the years, various experiences and leaderships have succeeded one another at the Ministry of Education. Some left an imprint that remains vivid in memory, while others tried, succeeding at times and failing at others. Some decisions, made in good faith, left gaps that exhausted both teachers and students alike. But the truth is that dwelling too long on the past is no longer productive. The most important question today is not: What did we do wrong? But rather: Are we ready for what is to come?
The world is changing before our eyes at an alarming pace. Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept or a technological luxury; it has become part of our daily lives and of the way our children learn and will work in the future. The challenge is no longer about updating a textbook or adding a subject, but about redefining the very meaning of education. UNESCO reports today speak of a “new social contract” for education, because the relationship between humans, knowledge, and technology is no longer what it used to be. Jobs are changing, and the skills we know today may not be sufficient tomorrow.
These figures are not meant to frighten, but to warn. For instance, the World Economic Forum warns that nearly half of workers’ skills will change within a few years, and the World Bank places educational systems in a race against time. The message is clear: Those who do not prepare now will pay the price later, as individuals and societies.
Honestly, it seems we are approaching the end of the traditional school image we have known for so long. Not because schools will disappear, but because their role will change. The teacher will no longer be merely a transmitter of information, but a guide, supporter, and inspiration. Some routine roles will recede, which forces us to think realistically and compassionately about the fate of workers in the educational field, without ignoring them or leaving them to face their destiny alone.
Developing education today does not require slogans, but courage. Courage to admit that rote memorization is no longer sufficient, and that stagnation is no longer an option. We need an education that teaches our children how to think, not what to memorize; that teaches them how to learn from mistakes, and how to engage with technology without losing their humanity.
Between the legacy of “Al-Mubarakiya,” with all its value and meaning, and the earthquake of artificial intelligence shaking the world, Kuwait stands at a pivotal moment. Either we rebuild our education with the spirit of the times, or we content ourselves with defending a beautiful form from the past, while the future moves on without waiting for us.
