Education Fees and Family Assistance

This stands in stark contrast to Europe, where kindergarten is the least expensive stage of education and secondary education is the most costly. It is also worth noting that the cost of educating a student in Kuwait’s public schools is higher than in European countries across all educational stages.

Al-Rai newspaper published the average cost per student in public schools, revealing figures that were shocking to some. Given the expansion of the private sector’s educational projects, which span from kindergarten through secondary school, and considering the services provided by private education and the longer hours students spend at school, it was expected that the cost per student in the private sector would be significantly higher than in the public sector. However, the published figures not only contradicted this expectation but also highlighted a vast disparity in average costs.

A considerable number of Kuwaiti families have chosen to enroll their children in private schools, each for their own reasons. Some view this decision as an investment worth the sacrifice, while others find no justification for it. We must respect everyone’s opinions, especially since families who opt for private schools reduce the pressure on public institutions and bear the educational expenses themselves. Moreover, private education has fostered competition with the public sector, a dynamic that should help raise the quality of both private and public education.

Many countries contribute to covering private school fees alongside parents, while others help pay part of private school teachers’ salaries and cover a portion of operational costs. These measures aim to reduce the financial burden on parents. In return, such support has helped lower government spending on education at all levels, resulting in improved educational standards, particularly in European countries where global benchmarks confirm high levels of educational achievement.

The Ministry of Education’s genuine efforts to address inherited shortcomings are positive steps. Supporting families who wish to enroll their children in the private sector is a proven strategy that has succeeded in many European countries and North America.