‘Rationalization procedures not to affect Kuwaiti teachers pay’ – MoE has nothing to do with housing allowance cut: Al-Essa
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 8: Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa affirmed that the government’s rationalization procedures will not touch the salaries of Kuwaiti teachers, reports Al-Rai daily. Dr Al-Essa declared this in a press release which was issued in response to reports concerning the reduction of the monthly housing allowance of expatriate teachers of Ministry of Education from KD 150 to KD 60.
He insisted that the decision was being studied by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and that Ministry of Education and Higher Education has nothing to do with it, revealing that the ministry is bound by the instructions of Ministry of Finance and that the reduction of the ministry’s budget included that of all sectors especially the maintenance budget.
Dr Al-Essa indicated that the salaries of expatriate teachers are much better in Kuwait than in other Arab countries, adding, “We do not expect the expatriate teachers to abstain from teaching in public schools but such abstention might be in the private schools”.
He stressed that reducing the housing allowance of expatriate teachers may affect their performance in the classrooms, insisting that this matter is out of the hands of Ministry of Education. Pointing out the fact that most countries worldwide are currently undergoing economic crises, Dr Al-Essa urged the expatriate teachers to put this fact into consideration.
Meanwhile, Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs at Ministry of Education and Higher Education Yousef Al-Najjar said he has not yet received any information in this regard from CSC, revealing that as soon as he receives official notification about this decision, he will start taking relevant actions and calculate the money that will be saved by reducing the housing allowance of expatriate teachers.
Addressing the expatriate teachers, he said Ministry of Education and Higher Education is not part of this matter.
Clause
Al-Najjar explained that the decision to approve housing allowance for female expatriate teachers was taken by CSC in 2011 and it was changed last year to be enforced retroactively from 2011. Ministry of Education was not part of that decision and change.
Contracts signed between Ministry of Education and the expatriate teachers do not include any clause concerning the housing allowance.
Concerning the salaries and allowances of Kuwaiti teachers, he said they were approved as per the laws and new laws are needed for any changes, adding that he is not expecting any reduction in the allowances of Kuwaiti teachers. In a press release to Aljarida daily, Al-Najjar said the reduction in housing allowance will save KD 42 million on a yearly basis.
According to an informed source from CSC, the actions taken are correct and expatriate teachers have the right to resign, as their resignation will not force CSC to cancel the decision to rationalize expenses, stressing that the decisions taken affect citizens more than expatriates. He affirmed that the educational sector will never be affected by the resignations of expatriate teachers, as Ministry of Education has a waiting list of teachers from a number of countries.
Meanwhile, a number of expatriate teachers expressed their dissatisfaction about the decision. Some of them said their financial expenses are increasing and they will have to search for additional sources of income such as giving private tuitions, which is prohibited by the state. Some others suggested that Ministry of Education cancels the housing allowance of KD 60 and instead offer accommodation to teachers, at least a one-bedroom apartment.
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