(Ministry of Education) and (UNESCO) Organize Remote Training Workshop to Enhance Governance of General Education Assessment Institutions

Kuwait City, October 19 (KUNA) — The Ministry of Education today organized a remote training workshop in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Science and Technology in Beirut, titled “Governance of General Education Assessment Institutions in Arab Countries: A Forward-Looking Perspective,” under the patronage and attendance of Minister of Education Sayyid Jalal Al-Tabatabai. The event aimed to enhance Arab integration in the governance of assessment and to elevate the quality of educational systems.

In a press statement issued by the ministry, Al-Tabatabai emphasized that Kuwait views governance and institutional assessment as two fundamental pillars in the educational reform process, based on the firm conviction that educational development requires decisions grounded in data and evidence, responsive to the actual needs of the educational field, and subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation.

In his opening remarks, he stated that educational development is no longer measured solely by the volume of programs and initiatives implemented by educational institutions, but by their ability to achieve tangible results, measure their impact, and rely on reliable indicators in shaping policies and making decisions. He stressed the strategic importance of governing general education assessment institutions, which demands clear mandates, professional independence, procedural transparency, fair assessment, and reliable outcomes.

Al-Tabatabai clarified that the workshop serves as an important scientific and educational platform to discuss a strategic issue related to educational development: the governance of assessment institutions, enhancing their efficiency and the reliability of their results. This, in turn, supports the quality of educational policies, contributes to improving educational outcomes, and opens broader horizons for exchanging expertise and perspectives, while strengthening joint efforts to develop educational systems in Arab countries.

He highlighted the importance of the study prepared by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Science and Technology, which includes an analysis of the current state of governance of general education assessment institutions in Arab countries, compares it with leading international experiences and practices, and explores alternative future scenarios for their development.

He noted that the ambition behind organizing this workshop extends beyond diagnosing the current situation and exchanging expertise; it aims to formulate practical visions and adaptable guidelines that enhance the efficiency of assessment institutions, increase the reliability of their results, and support Arab countries’ capacity to make evidence-based educational decisions, while respecting the specificity of each educational system and its national priorities.

He stated that Kuwait’s hosting of this workshop reflects its commitment to strengthening Arab and international educational cooperation, and represents a continuation of the political leadership’s interest in developing education, enhancing its quality, and supporting reform steps aimed at building a more efficient and sustainable educational system capable of keeping pace with changes and achieving national objectives.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Education is proceeding with the implementation of a comprehensive reform plan that addresses the development of regulatory and administrative frameworks, enhances the efficiency of human resource allocation, promotes equity in opportunities and procedures, and develops measurement and assessment systems to ensure optimal use of potential, thereby raising the efficiency of educational institutions and the quality of their outputs.

He further noted that, alongside reform efforts, the ministry is committed to making digital transformation a key enabler for strengthening institutional governance. This is being achieved through the development of an integrated, electronic digital system that serves various aspects of the educational and administrative processes, supports procedural transparency, ensures fair application of standards, and enhances monitoring and accountability.

He expressed his hope that the outcomes of the cooperation would contribute to supporting educational reform efforts, developing policies and institutional practices, and enhancing the exchange of successful experiences, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the aspirations of Arab countries for higher-quality, more efficient, and sustainable education. The workshop was attended by the Center’s Director General, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, along with a group of experts, educational leaders, and representatives of national, regional, and international institutions, via the Zoom platform. (End) M.A.R./A.N.D.