Attendance next to none at Kuwait schools

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KUWAIT CITY, April 8: As is customary, with a working day sandwiched between two official holidays, the Ministries Complex experienced a noticeable case of employee absenteeism yesterday, as many chose to extend their Eid Al-Fitr holiday by including Sunday and Monday. During a visit by Al-Qabas to the Ministries Complex, despite numerous offices being devoid of employees, there was a sense of calmness, with transactions smoothly handled by those officials on duty for the small number of visitors present. With the scarcity of visitors, employees engaged in side conversations, predominantly centered around the soaring prices during Eid, holiday destinations, the outcomes of the National Assembly elections held the previous Thursday, traffic congestion, and speculations about the winners in European League matches. Sources told the daily that the employee attendance rate did not surpass 51%, with a significant number opting to request permission to leave before the end of the workday, with permission requests reaching up to 62% in most government agencies. Officials from various legal affairs sectors in some government agencies confirmed to Al-Qabas that employees’ leave during this period was pre-planned. They emphasized that employees have the right to select their periodic leave dates after securing approval from their superiors, and they may also avail themselves of medical services, provided that there are personnel available to attend to patients and ensure uninterrupted workflow.

These officials cautioned that individuals absent without excuse during these two days (Sunday and Monday) will be referred to legal affairs for necessary disciplinary measures. Similarly, employees who clock in but leave work afterward are being monitored. Inspection tours are being conducted to ensure employees’ regularity and the timely completion of tasks without disruption. Immediate resolution of customer complaints is prioritized following the Council of Ministers’ directives emphasizing the necessity of efficient service delivery without inconveniencing citizens.

Meanwhile, the phenomenon of mass student absenteeism has escalated, with most schools experiencing a complete lack of student presence. In contrast, teachers and administrators have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their work, reports Al-Qabas daily. Educational authorities attribute the absence of students to the convergence of factors such as the last ten days of Ramadan and the imminent Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

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