KUWAIT CITY, Nov 13: The executive and legislative authorities are both keen on supporting the teachers but the difference lies in the mechanism for the distribution of privileges, because the government prefers the performance-based bonus scheme over the salary increment draft bill, says Minister of Education and Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi.
Speaking to reporters after the joint meeting of the parliamentary Financial and Educational Affairs committees Monday, Al-Mulaifi explained the government requested for postponement of voting on the proposal in the previous legislative session as it needed more time to finalize the bonus scheme. He affirmed this scheme is better as it addresses the loopholes of the pay raise bill and it is based on the principle of rewarding those with outstanding job performance.
After expressing his gratitude to the members of the two committees for listening to the view points of the government, Al-Mulaifi revealed they deliberated on the criteria and ways to calculate the bonus based on the performance of the teachers. He affirmed the scheme includes all aspects of the two proposals — one has been approved by the Civil Service Commission to grant salary increment to all teachers with an estimated total cost of KD 88 million and the other is granting bonus at a total cost of KD143 million. He added, “If we add these figures, it will total KD 231 million — the amount that the government had previously promised to the Kuwait Teachers Society.”

Excellent
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee MP Dr Yousef Al-Zalzalah pointed out the bonus scheme is excellent but it falls short of the expectations and demands of the lawmakers. He said the Parliament will most likely pass the salary increment bill because a majority of the lawmakers believe it is better than the bonus scheme. “What the minister presented today at the meeting is good as it intends to reward the teachers for their outstanding performance. However, I personally believe there should also be an increase in their salaries and most of my colleagues think the same way,” he added.
MP Adnan Al-Mutawwa said the proposed salary increment for teachers will be approved in a special parliamentary session slated for Monday, indicating there is no room for any amendment. He added Al-Mulaifi had earlier promised to look into the lawmakers’ recommendations on the inclusion of teachers at the Ministry of Awqaf and those who teach rare subjects. “We will approve the proposal in recognition of the tremendous efforts that teachers exert in shaping the minds of the young generation to make them good contributors to national growth.”