Introduction of 'Trainee Teacher' Position for New Appointees in the Ministry of Education

- The appointment is for one year in a practical and theoretical training program, with salary only and no allowances or bonuses.

- If the trainee teacher fails to complete the program, they will be transferred to an administrative position if they are a graduate of the College of Education or “Basic Education.”

- Those who do not pass the program and are not graduates of an educational qualification will have their files referred to the Civil Service Bureau for appointment in another government entity.

Decree-Law No. 86 of 2026 was issued, replacing Schedule No. 1 attached to Law No. 28 of 2011 concerning the granting of allowances and bonuses to Kuwaiti members of the teaching staff in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. This step aims to develop the appointment conditions for the teaching position and enhance the efficiency of educational institution outputs.

According to the explanatory memorandum of the decree, published in "Kuwait Al-Yaum," the amendment is part of efforts to support and empower teachers to fulfill their noble mission, and to keep pace with the rapid changes in education, which have imposed new roles that go beyond the traditional framework of classroom instruction. Contemporary educational realities necessitate the development of tools and methods aligned with modern technologies.

The memorandum clarified that the initial appointment conditions for the teaching position had not differed from the general conditions prescribed for holding any other position, except for the educational qualification requirement. It did not require any conditions related to the ability to perform the teaching task, which is the core of the teacher’s role, especially given the substantial financial benefits granted to holders of that position, which necessarily require additional conditions to achieve the desired objective.

It further explained that practical reality revealed the inadequacy of the prescribed initial conditions for appointing fresh graduates to the teaching position, ensuring the proper performance of the duties assigned to the post, particularly the skills necessary to carry them out. Moreover, the academic qualification itself (whether a university-based educational degree or a pedagogical diploma) is insufficient as a standalone condition for initial appointment in this role. This is especially true since the quality of graduates and their graduation rates vary, which may sometimes indicate weaknesses in these outputs that are inconsistent with the requirement that those holding the position must possess the highest level of competence. This competence is not indicated merely by graduation and obtaining an academic degree, nor by previous years of experience in the profession, as such years may not reflect actual, genuine experience that benefits the educational institution.

The memorandum added that, given the study and understanding of the developments that have occurred in the educational sector and the need to update appointment procedures for teaching staff positions to ensure that only highly competent individuals join these roles, the objective is to select the best candidates for the position and determine eligibility based on objective conditions rooted in the nature of the job. This ensures equality of opportunity and legal equality, guaranteeing that only those who meet the general conditions and possess the specific attributes and capabilities that qualify them to perform the role to the fullest extent will hold the position, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of the educational institution.

The amendment aims to reconcile the right of fresh graduates from the College of Education at Kuwait University and the Basic Education College at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training to work in teaching staff positions according to their academic qualifications, with the Ministry of Education’s right to select the best candidates for these positions to achieve optimal results, which will reflect positively on the efficiency of the education system and the educational institution as a whole.

The amendment includes reorganizing the appointment conditions for Kuwaitis in the teaching position. Initial appointment will be for one year in a newly created job title called "Trainee Teacher." During this period, the teacher will perform teaching duties while undergoing a training program lasting one year, which includes theoretical study and practical training. The appointee in this position will receive a salary based on the financial grade assigned, without receiving any allowances or bonuses specific to the teaching staff related to teaching.

The explanatory memorandum noted that if the Trainee Teacher fails to pass this training program, they will be transferred to an administrative position in the Ministry of Education, provided they hold a university-based educational degree from the College of Education at Kuwait University or the Basic Education College at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. If they do not hold the aforementioned university qualification and fail to complete the training program, their file will be referred to the Civil Service Bureau for assignment to another government entity in a job title appropriate to their obtained qualification.

It was further stated that if the Trainee Teacher passes the training program, they will be promoted to the next functional level within the teaching staff hierarchy, subject to the conditions outlined in Schedule No. (1) attached to the law, the conditions and controls prescribed for each level in that schedule, and any additional conditions determined by the Civil Service Council and the Ministry of Education regarding the progressive technical improvement of functional levels.