Al-Tabtabaee: School is a starting point for discovering sporting talents

In a move aimed at developing the school sports system and enhancing its role in discovering and nurturing athletic talents among students, Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaee and Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma witnessed on Sunday the signing of a joint cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Education, the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, and the Kuwait Sports Federation for Schools and Higher Education. The agreement, signed in the presence of several officials, is valid for three years and aims to strengthen sustainable cooperation and coordination among the relevant entities, as well as to develop joint programs and initiatives in the field of school sports.

The protocol was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Education by Deputy Minister Dr. Khalid Al-Rashid, on behalf of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports by its Acting General Director Bishr Abdullah Al-Salem, and on behalf of the Kuwait Sports Federation for Schools and Higher Education by its President Hamad Al-Hamad. The signing comes amid a commitment to enhance institutional integration among entities involved in the educational and sports sectors, unifying efforts and making optimal use of available resources, facilities, and personnel to build an integrated national system dedicated to school sports, the discovery, nurturing, and development of athletic talents from the earliest school stages. This initiative aims to prepare athletic generations capable of competing, achieving successes, and raising the name of the State of Kuwait at regional and international forums.

In this regard, Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaee emphasized that the signing of the protocol reflects the state’s orientation toward strengthening partnerships and integration among government institutions, and investing in students as the true wealth of the nation. He noted that schools represent the fundamental starting point for discovering, developing, and properly guiding athletic talents.

For his part, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma revealed the existence of interrelated programs and projects with the Ministry of Education, given the presence of the school federation, and affirmed that the federation will play a positive role in implementing the provisions of the agreement.

Al-Jalahma expressed his hope that the provisions of the agreement would soon be translated into reality, contributing to the discovery of athletic talents while simultaneously developing the sports aspect alongside the educational aspect for male and female students.

He stated that Kuwait is rich in competencies and talents in various fields, not just in sports, noting the existence of cooperation with the Ministry of Education through the “Schools for the Gifted” project, which the ministry recently announced. The project aims to support gifted students, provide them with the necessary space for creativity and innovation, and discover their talents at an early stage, thereby offering them a supportive and motivating environment.

Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabaee spoke about the new education system, “Tracks,” explaining that “previously, there were three tracks in the State of Kuwait, represented by the Scientific Section, the Literary Section, and Religious Education. Today, however, the Tracks system allows students greater diversity in choosing their future.”

He clarified that “the Tracks system currently includes eight specializations within a framework of legal regulations and organized bylaws. These specializations did not emerge overnight but are the result of a study lasting more than a year, prepared by specialists, and taking into account labor market needs and the requirements of the State of Kuwait across various tracks.”

He affirmed that the track chosen by a student in the eleventh grade will accompany them through their subsequent educational stages, leading to university and then to the employment phase.