Editorial: A Sound Decision... and a Timing That Needs Review
We do not disagree with the Minister of Education, Sayyid Jalal Al-Tabatabai, that educational reform must begin with courageously addressing systemic imbalances. Nor do we dispute that the desired development cannot be achieved as long as the educational sector carries a surplus of more than 33,000 expatriate male and female teachers in specializations that exceed the needs of schools, thereby burdening the Ministry without purpose. Therefore, both logic and integrity dictate that we should not condemn a decision the Minister made correctly, nor blame him for it.
From this perspective, the strategic steps currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Education to reorganize and develop the educational system, and to align actual needs with national competencies, are commendable actions that reflect well on the Minister. Indeed, we hope that other state entities will follow suit by reviewing and correcting their own imbalances.
While we acknowledge Al-Tabatabai’s step and commend his courage in addressing these flaws, we believe the timing of the decision’s announcement required reconsideration. Terminating the services of more than 7,000 male and female teachers at the start of the academic year, even if based on a study and genuine need, disrupted the lives of families whose stability had been built on a fixed income. Suddenly, the ground seemed to shift beneath their feet, leaving them no time to catch their breath. This came after they had traveled from their home countries, endured the hardships and costs of relocation, and incurred expenses for housing they maintained throughout the summer months, under the assumption that such a decision would not be issued overnight.
We are not here to cancel the decision, halt the Ministry’s plan, or defend the continuation of the surplus. Rather, we propose a single recommendation: postpone implementation until the end of the academic year. A sound decision does not lose its validity if its implementation is delayed by a few months. A few additional months will not keep the surplus indefinitely, nor will it derail the reform process. However, it will provide these families with the breathing room they need to reorganize their scattered lives—psychologically, materially, and socially—so they can prepare for a new phase with minimal disruption. Furthermore, this proposed grace period would allow for a dignified farewell, befitting a country known for its humanitarian values, whose white hands are recognized far and wide.
The need for such postponement is further heightened when we remember that many of those affected by the decision have children studying in Kuwait, and they bear family obligations and bank loans that were based on a salaried income that existed until recently.
These male and female teachers have lived among us, spent years within the classrooms of our schools, taught our children, and contributed to building generations that participated in Kuwait’s renaissance. We thank every teacher who fulfilled their mission, shouldered the trust of educating our children, and became part of Kuwait’s educational journey. Such individuals do not deserve to have their files closed in such a harsh manner, caught off guard and without preparation or readiness.
We stand with the Minister in addressing the surplus and eliminating bureaucratic bloat, and we support every decision that places the interests of education first. Therefore, we say to him: Proceed with the reform and do not retreat from addressing the surplus. However, what befits our country and a reformist minister like you is to grant these teachers an opportunity until the end of the year. A correct decision, when implemented at the appropriate time, becomes more equitable and less painful.
