KUWAIT CITY, Sept 1: The Minister of Education, Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, on Monday issued a ministerial decision approving a comprehensive educational calendar for the next five academic years. The decision aims to provide long-term stability for Kuwait’s educational system and enhance the quality of the learning process by organizing study schedules, examinations, vacations, and dates related to staff transfers, registrations, and supervisory positions.

According to the Ministry of Education, Al-Tabtabaei said the calendar establishes a fixed organizational framework for all educational and administrative aspects, covering general education, religious education, special education, and adult education. This is the first comprehensive calendar encompassing all educational sectors, enabling schools and administrative bodies to plan curricula and activities in an organized and thoughtful manner.

“The new calendar precisely specifies the start and end dates of the school year, examination schedules, vacations, electronic transfer periods for educational and administrative staff, application periods for supervisory positions, registration dates for kindergartens and new elementary students, and transfer periods for students between public and private schools,” Al-Tabtabaei said. He added that this constitutes an integrated administrative and educational organization based on a clear vision, proper preparation, and future planning.

The minister pointed out that the last week of Ramadan has been approved as a holiday for students and teaching and administrative staff, reflecting the ministry’s flexibility in managing the educational calendar while ensuring efficient use of school days in line with educational requirements.

Al-Tabtabaei explained that the step is part of a well-thought-out vision ensuring a balance between providing organized breaks for staff and students while maintaining uninterrupted completion of study plans. He said the ministry scheduled the holiday to ensure the number of actual school days remains unaffected, consolidating efficiency in utilizing the academic year and enhancing student achievement within a stable educational calendar framework.

He emphasized that the ultimate goal of the calendar is to maximize educational returns from every actual school day, noting that previous years saw mass absences between official holidays. This phenomenon negatively impacted learning opportunities and depleted schools’ operational resources, including electricity, water, air conditioning, transportation, and support services, without tangible educational returns.

The minister added that organizing holidays and vacations in advance enhances discipline, strengthens the educational process, and increases efficiency in educational spending. Studies by a specialized team indicate that this reorganization is expected to save approximately 51 million Kuwaiti dinars, representing financial waste recorded due to lost school days in previous years.

Al-Tabtabaei said the ministry views these financial savings as evidence of a rational approach to resource management, coupled with investment in educational outcomes. Efforts and resources will be redirected to directly serve students and enhance educational activities and support programs, enriching learning experiences and increasing the effectiveness of classroom instruction.

The minister highlighted that regular school attendance is a national duty and shared responsibility for students, guardians, and school administrations. Commitment to attendance is a fundamental pillar in building student character, refining skills, and ensuring each school day contributes to the goals of education and upbringing.

He noted that student absence, whether intentional or collective, deprives learners of educational opportunities and weakens teachers’ and administrators’ efforts, calling for a culture of discipline and seriousness as integral to the success of Kuwait’s education system.

Al-Tabtabaei emphasized that attendance and absence regulations approved by the ministry are binding. School administrations are responsible for implementing and closely monitoring compliance. Any negligence constitutes a violation requiring accountability under legal frameworks governing educational work.

The minister concluded that the ministry is proceeding with implementing the new educational calendar, reflecting its commitment to educational stability over the coming academic years and achieving a balance between the needs of students and teachers within an organized framework that ensures optimal use of human and financial resources.