Ministry of Education Launches Gifted Schools Project for the 2026/2027 Academic Year

- Applications for the first cohort will be accepted from August 16 to 29... and talent identification tests will be held from September 6 to 17

The Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the Gifted Schools Project for the 2026/2027 academic year. This development initiative is overseen by the Gifted Students Office, under the Minister’s Office, with the aim of building an integrated national system to identify, nurture, and develop the capabilities of gifted students. This will be achieved through advanced educational policies and effective local and international partnerships, contributing to the preparation of a creative human capital capable of leading development and innovation pathways, and achieving the targets of Kuwait Vision 2035.

The Ministry clarified in a statement that the project involves establishing specialized and independent schools for boys and girls, dedicated to caring for gifted students and providing an educational environment conducive to developing their abilities. These schools will admit qualified students from various educational districts across the State of Kuwait, based on the Ministry’s conviction that investing in promising minds is a fundamental pillar in shaping a future that enhances Kuwait’s status as a hub for innovation and leadership at both regional and international levels.

The Ministry explained that student nominations for admission to the Gifted Schools will be conducted electronically via the "Mawhoob" platform operated by the Ministry of Education, in accordance with a set of conditions. These include the student being a Kuwaiti national, enrolled in one of the general education schools in Kuwait, achieving high academic performance in core subjects during the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, and passing the talent identification tests after obtaining parental consent.

The Ministry of Education also confirmed that applications for the first cohort of the Gifted Schools for the 2026/2027 academic year will be accepted through the website of the Gifted Students Office under the Ministry. It urged parents wishing to register their children to visit the website mawhoob.moe.edu.kw to review the conditions and enter the required data. The Ministry clarified that nomination applications will only be accepted via the Gifted Students Office website during the period from Sunday, August 16, 2026, to Saturday, August 29, 2026.

The Ministry further clarified that the talent identification tests will be held from Sunday, September 6, 2026, to Thursday, September 17, 2026. Each student will be notified of their test date and committee location via the "Mawhoob" platform after completing registration. Students are required to bring their test card and civil ID to the exam.

As part of the development of digital services provided to parents, the Ministry of Education explained that the "Mawhoob" platform includes "Mawhoob Assistant," an intelligent assistant available around the clock to answer parents' inquiries regarding registration steps, deadlines, announced application conditions, and test cards. It also addresses inquiries from teachers and Ministry staff regarding transfer requests to the Gifted Schools.

The Ministry stated that if a student is accepted into the Gifted Schools, they will be transferred effective Sunday, September 27, 2026, to the Farwaniya Educational District in the West Abdullah Al-Mubarak area. Two schools, one for boys and one for girls, affiliated with the Ministry of Education, have been prepared and announced for opening. Classes will be held during the morning shift, in accordance with the schedule approved for general education schools. The Ministry noted that the admission process involves several consecutive stages, starting with electronic nomination, followed by talent identification tests, personal interviews, and culminating in the announcement of the names of admitted students.

The Ministry of Education emphasized that talent identification tests do not aim to measure students’ academic achievement, but rather focus on discovering their latent potential. These tests are designed according to globally recognized models in gifted education, assessing general intellectual ability, creative thinking, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Results are scored using standardized norm-referenced scales, enabling a comparison of each student’s performance with peers of the same age group, thereby ensuring the highest levels of fairness and accuracy in the classification process. Students who pass the tests will undergo a personal interview to complete a comprehensive assessment of their capabilities.

The Ministry added that gifted schools will offer enriched scientific and practical curricula developed based on global best educational practices and supervised by specialists in gifted education. It clarified that the philosophy behind these curricula is based on horizontal enrichment, which broadens and deepens students’ knowledge and connects various academic disciplines. These enrichment programs will be offered alongside the official curricula approved by the Ministry of Education, not as a substitute for them.

The Ministry noted that schools will organize scheduled activities and trips throughout the academic year, allowing students to translate their learning into practical applications. In addition, scientific and recreational competitions will be held to enrich students cognitively and socially. The schools will also provide psychological, counseling, and health care services, as well as equipped educational facilities including classrooms, laboratories, workshops, sports fields, and teaching aids. Student transportation will be provided under the supervision of specialists.

Regarding educational, administrative, and support staff, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the Gifted Education Office has set August 23 as the start date for online applications on the Ministry’s official website for those interested in working at gifted schools. Applications will be processed according to strict criteria for selecting qualified candidates, ensuring the recruitment of personnel capable of addressing the educational and psychological characteristics of gifted students.

The Ministry explained that selection criteria for educational and administrative staff prioritize Kuwaiti nationals or candidates with a Kuwaiti mother, holding a university degree in the required specialization, achieving an “Excellent” rating in the last two years, and possessing at least two years of experience. Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience working with gifted students, as well as those with distinguished activities in their field of specialization and proficiency in using computers and their applications.

To ensure a safe educational environment befitting gifted students, the Ministry of Education requires that applicants from the teaching or administrative staff submit a “No Criminal Record” certificate (criminal background check) during the online application process. Additionally, their employment records must be free of administrative penalties, according to reports from the Civil Service Bureau.

The Ministry of Education stressed that selecting teaching staff for gifted schools is not limited to meeting formal requirements and qualifications. Candidates will undergo written tests and personal interviews as part of the selection stages to verify their mastery of the subject matter and their ability to handle the educational and psychological characteristics of gifted students. Final selection will be based on competitive ranking among successful candidates.

The Ministry clarified that the staffing needs of gifted schools extend beyond teaching personnel to include administrative and technical support staff who complete the educational work system and ensure the continuity of the educational process. Vacancies include student affairs registrars, secretaries, storekeepers, technology supervisors, science lab technicians, librarians, social workers, psychologists, service executors, and student assistants.

The ministry also confirmed that filling these positions is subject to the same criteria, including priority for Kuwaiti candidates, the availability of appropriate qualifications suited to the nature of the role, obtaining a police clearance certificate, and having an employment record free of administrative penalties.

The ministry noted that applicants interested in the advertised positions can apply electronically through the official website of the Ministry of Education during the vacancy announcement period, attaching the required documents. Applicants will be required to take an admission test and undergo a personal interview, with final selection made based on competitive ranking among candidates, ensuring the recruitment of qualified personnel capable of addressing the needs and characteristics of gifted students.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Education emphasized that the launch of the Gifted Schools project represents a first step within a gradual expansion plan aimed at increasing the number of schools in the future and broadening the scope of care to include additional educational stages. This ensures continuous support for gifted students, the development of their abilities, and their preparation for active participation in international scientific forums, translating their creative potential into achievements that contribute to supporting the trajectory of development and innovation in Kuwait.