Ministry of Education: 198 Students Enroll in Gifted Schools

- Completion of the selection and qualification of 78 educational and administrative staff to work in gifted students’ schools

- Al-Shatti: Tests to measure creativity and intelligence, and precise criteria for selecting gifted students for their new schools

The Ministry of Education announced that classes began yesterday at the boys’ and girls’ gifted schools in the West Abdullah Al-Mubarak area, with the arrival of the first cohort of students.

The Ministry confirmed that the start of classes is in implementation of Ministerial Decision No. (153) of 2026 regarding the commencement of the gifted schools system. It clarified that the number of students accepted in the first identification cycle for the 2026/2027 academic year reached 198 students, comprising 55 boys at the boys’ school and 143 girls at the girls’ school. They are distributed across 14 classrooms covering grades six through nine, with no more than 16 students per class, thereby providing an educational environment that accounts for individual differences and responds to the needs of this group of learners.

The Ministry explained that it has completed the procedures for selecting educational and administrative staff according to specific stages, which included screening applications, verifying compliance with approved conditions and criteria, and conducting tests and personal interviews. It noted that 78 educational and administrative staff members passed these stages, including 60 teachers, 11 department heads, four assistant principals, along with librarians and the chief psychologist.

It stated that the selected staff joined a specialized training program to prepare them for the nature of work in gifted schools and to enhance their skills in interacting with gifted students and understanding their educational and pedagogical needs. This contributes to building an educational environment that fosters creativity and innovation, and strengthens the ability of teachers and administrators to provide the necessary support for students and develop their potential.

The Ministry added that it has completed the necessary operational preparations to welcome students, including developing school transportation plans and allocating bus routes to cover all accepted students, ensuring their safe and regular arrival at both schools from the first day of classes, alongside the readiness of educational and administrative staff and support services.

The Ministry of Education emphasized that the launch of classes in gifted schools represents a significant step forward in developing the system for nurturing talent and creativity in the State of Kuwait, reflecting its commitment to providing a comprehensive educational environment that enables the discovery of students’ abilities, the development of their talents, and the refinement of their skills through specialized educational programs and curricula that respond to their needs and support their academic excellence. This aligns with the Ministry’s direction toward enhancing the quality of education and investing in future national human capital.

For his part, Badr Al-Shatti, Head of the Awareness and Development Department at the Gifted Students Office within the Ministry of Education, confirmed the start of classes at the boys’ and girls’ gifted schools. He explained that this step is part of the efforts of the Gifted Students Office, which falls under the sector of the Minister of Education’s office, aimed at preparing a generation of young people capable of leading innovation and invention pathways in the future.

Al-Shatti said that the Gifted Students Office was established by a decision of the Minister of Education to discover, nurture, and develop promising student potential by providing a specialized educational environment that allows them to develop their abilities and achieve their maximum potential in various scientific fields. He emphasized that nurturing gifted students represents a crucial investment in the future of education and development.

He clarified that the selection of students for admission to these schools was carried out according to precise and multiple criteria, including academic achievement levels, alongside tests measuring creativity and intelligence quotients, ensuring the attraction of students possessing capabilities and talents worthy of care and development. He noted that the Office also took care in selecting teachers, given their pivotal role in discovering students’ talents, understanding their educational needs, and refining and nurturing their creative abilities.

He added that the Gifted Students Office worked to provide specialized enrichment curricula aimed at directing learners’ capabilities, developing their skills, and enhancing their potential, thereby helping them achieve advanced levels of productivity and excellence across various scientific fields, and opening broader horizons for creativity and innovation.

Al-Shatti pointed out that students showed engagement and enthusiasm from the first day of school, noting that both schools made efforts to provide a distinctive welcome to help them adapt to the new school environment and get to know their teachers and peers, especially since admitted students came from different regions of the State of Kuwait, which enhances opportunities for interaction and communication among them within a shared educational environment.

Al-Shatti also commended the partnership with Boubyan Bank and its initiative to visit gifted students’ schools and present encouraging gifts to students, explaining that this initiative reflects the interest in gifted students and sharing in their joy at the start of the academic year in their new educational environment, as well as encouraging them to continue their journey of excellence and creativity. This participation highlights the importance of community partnerships in supporting educational initiatives and nurturing promising student potential.

Al-Shatti affirmed that the launch of the academic year was characterized by activity, vitality, and positive interaction, expressing his hope that the coming phase would witness further excellence and creativity, and that the educational and enrichment programs offered would contribute to developing students’ capabilities, refining their talents, and fulfilling their future aspirations. He prayed to God Almighty for success and achievement for all students and educational and administrative staff.