Minister of Education Directs Implementation of Plan to Address Surplus of Teaching Staff and Link Numbers to Schools' Needs
Kuwait City, 7 Sept (KUNA) -- The Minister of Education, Sayed Jalal Al-Tabatabai, directed the relevant sectors today, Monday, to begin implementing a phased plan aimed at addressing the surplus in certain specializations and enhancing the efficiency of human resources and financial management, thereby ensuring optimal utilization of personnel and maintaining the stability of the educational process.
The Ministry of Education stated in a press release that study results revealed an actual surplus of approximately 33,268 male and female teachers, including Kuwaiti nationals, contracted Gulf workers, and legally resident teachers, as well as resident teachers of various Arab and other nationalities, in several specializations where the number of staff exceeds the actual needs of schools.
The ministry added that the plan began with a first phase involving the termination of services for about 7,019 male and female teachers in specializations where data indicated a surplus over actual needs. It noted that the relevant sectors have initiated the necessary executive measures, and those affected by the service termination will be notified through the “Sahel” application, in accordance with approved administrative and legal systems, regulations, and procedures, ensuring their employment rights are protected.
The ministry clarified that workforce indicators showed a surplus in several educational specializations across different academic stages covered by the surplus mitigation measures in boys’ schools. In the primary stage, the affected specializations were Arabic language, English language, Islamic studies, art education, and music education. In the intermediate stage, they included Islamic studies, social studies, art education, music education, electricity, and decoration. In the secondary stage, the specializations were chemistry, philosophy, geology, Islamic studies, art education, music education, and geography.
Regarding girls’ schools, the ministry indicated that the surplus in the primary stage covered mathematics, Arabic language, art education, physical education, and music education. In the intermediate stage, it included music education, physical education, Islamic studies, science, mathematics, Arabic language, and electricity. The surplus in the secondary stage was limited to the French language specialization, in addition to a surplus in the music education specialization at the kindergarten stage.
The Ministry of Education emphasized that the surplus mitigation plan falls within its responsibility to empower national competencies, enhance the efficiency of human resources and financial management, and achieve optimal utilization of educational personnel, following a phased approach based on data and actual needs while preserving school stability, educational quality, and the best interests of learners, which are the foundation of all decisions and measures taken by the ministry. (End) M.A.R. / A.N.D.
