Mandatory training for a "trainee teacher" for one year to international standards
Faisal Mutair – The Ministry of Education announced the “National Program for the Preparation and Qualification of New Teachers,” as part of its efforts to build an integrated system for preparing teachers and professionally, pedagogically, and practically qualifying them before they fully assume the teaching profession. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to develop the teacher preparation system and enhance the readiness of educational cadres to enter the teaching profession, based on Law Decree No. 86 of 2026 and the subsequent ministerial decision establishing the job title “Trainee Teacher” and defining the conditions and regulations for occupying this position.
The Ministry of Education stated that the project resulted from specialized educational studies and a series of meetings and consultations held by Minister Jalal Al-Taptoubai with several educators and specialists, alongside the work of specialized teams tasked with studying the requirements for preparing new teachers and the needs of the educational field. This led to the development of a comprehensive program concept grounded in established global standards, criteria, and practices, supporting the quality of the educational process and enhancing learning outcomes, in line with the state’s direction toward investing in human capital and achieving the goals of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision.
The ministry clarified that the “Preparation and Qualification of New Teachers” project represents a comprehensive national pathway for preparing and qualifying teachers before their permanent appointment to the teaching profession. It aims to strengthen the integration between theoretical academic preparation and practical field experience, enhance the cognitive, pedagogical, professional, and psychological readiness of new teachers, and support their stability during the initial years of service.
It was noted that the program was developed by a group of experienced educators with diverse expertise. It is based on a mandatory qualification program lasting a full academic year, combining theoretical training and practical field training within schools, in accordance with established global standards for preparing new teachers, most notably the InTASC standards.
The Ministry of Education indicated that the program is guided by the InTASC standards, recognized as one of the leading global frameworks for preparing new teachers. These standards focus on four main domains: the learner, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility, within three key dimensions: instructional performances, core knowledge, and professional values. They encompass ten fundamental standards and sub-standards that integrate knowledge of the learner, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility.
The ministry affirmed that the program’s design ensures alignment with Kuwait’s national values while drawing on global standards, allowing for phased development and continuous improvement. It is also being prepared to become an internationally accredited program for the preparation and qualification of new teachers for the teaching profession, once governance and accreditation requirements are met. This will enhance learning through practice, increase the reliability of the program’s outcomes, and boost the competitiveness of national competencies.
The ministry pointed out that the program aims to ensure that new teachers possess the necessary professional competencies before being appointed to the teaching profession, improve the quality of instructional performance in classrooms, and enhance professional stability while reducing the challenges associated with the early years of service.
It was explained that the professional qualification of new teachers is distributed as 45% theoretical training and 55% practical field training within schools. To pass the program and obtain the required qualification, a minimum score of 75% must be achieved. If this threshold is not met, the teacher will be appointed to an administrative position, working administratively according to their educational university degree.
