7,019 Teachers Face Termination as Kuwait Moves to Cut KD 42 Million in Costs

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 7 : The Ministry of Education has launched the first phase of a major restructuring of its teaching workforce, with the services of 7,019 teachers from Arab and other nationalities set to be terminated as the ministry moves to tackle a surplus of around 33,268 teachers across various specializations.

The first phase includes 1,551 male teachers and 5,468 female teachers, with the ministry expecting the move to reduce annual salary expenditure by approximately KD 42 million. Teachers affected by the decision will be notified through the government’s Sahel application, while their legal and employment entitlements will be safeguarded.

The restructuring, directed by Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabai, is aimed at bringing the number of teachers in schools into line with actual staffing requirements. Ministry assessments have identified significant surpluses in several specializations, particularly physical education and Islamic studies, where the number of teachers exceeds current needs.

The selection of teachers for the first phase is based on seniority of appointment, with the ministry applying its criteria as part of the process to gradually reduce the surplus. The measure is not being implemented as a blanket reduction across all teaching fields, as recruitment will continue in specializations where schools face genuine shortages.

A key component of the plan is also the gradual expansion of Kuwaitization in teaching positions where qualified Kuwaiti candidates are available. The ministry aims to give greater priority to national talent while ensuring that schools continue to receive adequate staffing in subjects where local recruitment remains insufficient.

The ministry’s wider plan is expected to be implemented gradually, with staffing levels and requirements continuing to be reviewed according to specialization and school needs. The objective is to eliminate staffing imbalances, reduce unnecessary government expenditure and create greater opportunities for qualified Kuwaiti teachers.

The move represents one of the ministry’s most significant efforts to restructure its human resources in the education sector, combining cost reduction, workforce rationalization and increased reliance on qualified Kuwaiti nationals while maintaining recruitment in areas where shortages remain.