Implementation of the Gifted Schools System Begins in the 2026/2027 Academic Year

Alaa Khalifa: Minister of Education, Dr. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, issued a decision regarding the commencement of the Gifted Schools system under the Ministry of Education, effective from the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. The system will initially be implemented at the middle school level, paving the way for expansion into the secondary school level in the coming years in accordance with the Ministry’s future plan.

Article One of the decision stipulates that gifted schools shall be independent institutions established for this specific purpose, admitting gifted students nominated from all educational districts in accordance with approved discovery and admission criteria. Implementation will begin with two government schools: one for boys and one for girls, to be designated for this purpose.

Article Two clarifies that the gifted schools system will commence at the Ministry of Education at the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, with initial implementation limited to the middle school level. It will be extended to the secondary school level in the coming years, following the Ministry’s future plan.

According to Article Three, the Gifted Office is responsible for managing and handling all technical and administrative affairs of the gifted schools. It holds full authority to supervise and monitor these schools, set admission conditions, and determine the number of students admitted to each school.

Article Four stipulates that the official curricula of the Ministry of Education for general education shall be applied in gifted schools, supplemented by enrichment programs approved by the Gifted Office for the students, without compromising the Ministry’s approved evaluation and examination system. The Gifted Office is also tasked with approving academic plans and enrichment programs, monitoring and evaluating performance, and coordinating with the Educational Affairs Sector regarding examinations and grade recording for gifted schools.

Article Five indicates that the Gifted Office is responsible for establishing the necessary conditions for attaching teaching and administrative staff to work in gifted schools and submitting them to the Minister of Education for approval.

Article Six obligates all Ministry sectors to coordinate with the Gifted Office and provide the necessary infrastructure, facilities, financial appropriations, and staffing requirements to initiate the official implementation of gifted schools. The Gifted Office shall document all requirements and submit them to the Minister of Education for approval.

In a related development, and as part of efforts to strengthen the system for caring for gifted students and attracting qualified educational and administrative cadres to work in gifted schools, the Ministry of Education, represented by the Gifted Office, announced the closure of the application window for transfers for teaching and administrative staff wishing to work in gifted schools for the 2026/2027 academic year. This follows the receipt of 542 applications submitted electronically via the "Mawhoob" platform.

The Ministry of Education emphasized that this high level of interest reflects the commitment of educational and administrative cadres to work in gifted schools, providing a broad pool of candidates that enables the Ministry to select the most qualified talents suitable for working with this group of students, in line with the nature of work in these schools and the required scientific preparation and pedagogical expertise.

The Ministry clarified that selection among applicants will be conducted according to previously announced approved criteria, which include priority for Kuwaiti candidates, holding a university degree in the required specialization, an "Excellent" rating during the last two years, and at least two years of experience. Additional preferences are given to candidates with previous experience working with gifted students, distinguished activities in their field of specialization, and proficiency in using computers and their applications.

The Ministry further explained that upcoming procedures will begin with sorting applications and studying and evaluating candidates' files through a specialized committee formed to select educational and administrative cadres according to approved conditions and criteria. This will be followed by an admission test to measure the candidate’s mastery of their specialization, and then a personal interview to verify their ability to handle the educational and psychological characteristics of gifted students, leading to the final selection among candidates who passed the selection stages according to approved standards. The Ministry indicated that applicants will be notified of the dates for each selection stage sequentially via the "Mawhoob" platform, in accordance with approved procedures and timelines.

The Ministry of Education affirmed that selected cadres will deliver scientific and practical enrichment curricula prepared based on best global educational practices and supervised by specialists in gifted education. It explained that the philosophy behind these curricula is based on horizontal enrichment, aimed at expanding and deepening students' knowledge and linking various academic fields to enhance integration across learning domains.

The Ministry added that these curricula and enrichment programs are offered alongside the official curricula approved by the Ministry of Education, not as a replacement, thereby contributing to a comprehensive educational environment that considers the abilities of gifted students and supports the development of their scientific, practical, and creative skills.

The Ministry also affirmed that gifted schools represent one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives in caring for gifted students, aiming to discover and develop their abilities and provide a suitable educational environment. This contributes to preparing a generation of future leaders capable of creativity and innovation and contributing to the nation's development.

The Ministry pointed out that this initiative aligns with the objectives of the "New Kuwait 2035" vision, by investing in the abilities of gifted students, nurturing their talents and creativity, and preparing a generation equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to building the country's future.

In a related context, the Ministry of Education announced that 1,071 students will proceed to take talent discovery tests at the General Administration of Development and Development building in the Jabriya area. The tests will be conducted in successive batches starting on Sunday, the 6th, and continuing until Sunday, the 13th. Parents can check their children's test schedules via the "Mawhoob" platform or the "Sahl" application.

**Approval of Educational Calendar Updates to Align with Educational Developments**

The Ministry of Education has approved new updates to the educational calendar for the upcoming academic years, aligning with organizational developments in the educational system and enhancing the readiness of the educational field for academic and examination commitments.

Minister of Education, Dr. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, issued a decision to modify the educational calendar for the academic years 2026/2027, 2027/2028, 2028/2029, and 2029/2030. This applies to general education, religious education, adult education, literacy programs, special education schools, and private Arabic schools, as specified in the attachments of the ministerial decision issued for this purpose.

The Ministry of Education explained that the new modifications are part of the continued updating and organization of the educational calendar to align with developments in educational regulations and systems, ensuring clarity of dates and commitments for school administrations, educational staff, parents, and students.

The Ministry clarified that the modifications included adding examination dates for the fourth and fifth grades, in line with recent approvals under the new comprehensive regulatory framework for education. This aims to unify and organize procedures related to evaluation and examinations, enhancing the smooth flow of the educational process during the academic year.

The Ministry emphasized that modifying the educational calendar is part of its efforts to align academic schedules and dates with new organizational requirements, allowing schools to prepare early for various stages of the academic year and associated educational commitments.

The Ministry also affirmed that the decision provides a clear timeframe for the upcoming academic years, supporting advance planning by school administrations and educational cadres, enhancing the stability of the educational process, and providing a clearer picture for students and parents regarding academic and examination dates.