Bedoun ‘mandate’ eyed for private universities

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KUWAIT CITY, June 11: The Ministry of Higher Education recently issued a decree requiring students applying for scholarship abroad to pass the International English language Testing System (IELTS).

However, MP Mohammed Al-Huwaila called for annulment of the decree as it is unfair for students who graduated from public schools and were not taught the English Language with the same calibre as those who graduated from private English schools.

The MP explained that such a decision is an obstacle to the country’s vision of raising the standard of education; pointing out the scholarship applicants are usually given the chance to study in their preferred universities one year before learning the language and raising their scores. He argued the IELTS requirement is unnecessary, especially since the family is supposed to shoulder the cost of the test.

On the other hand, MP Nasser Al-Dousari has presented a proposal for the Ministry of Higher Education to increase the number of Bedouns admitted to Kuwait University and mandate the private universities to allot seats for Bedoun students.

The MP asserted that private universities are enjoying special services from the ministry, so they have to do their part in addressing this issue. Meanwhile, MP Majed Al-Mutairi has submitted a proposal to increase the number of citizen service centers, which are affiliated to the Ministry of Interior. He also suggested increasing the number of working hours in these centers to raise the level of productivity, complete the paperwork and expedite the processing of transactions for citizens.

In his proposal, the MP said there are only eight citizen service centers which operate for a couple of hours in the evening; thereby, putting tremendous pressure on the staff assigned in these centers rendering them unable to process the paperwork in a civil and timely manner. In order to serve those who cannot process governmental paperwork during working hours due to their own jobs, additional service centers must be established, he explained. He said his proposal will not only reduce pressure on the existing centers but it will generate more job opportunities as well.

The proposal includes an article on the establishment of a central service center in every constituency which operates during weekends and provides all services to ensure the maximum level of convenience for the public

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff

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