Education Ministry Ties Grade 12 Exam Commencement to Hijri New Year Holiday

KUWAIT CITY, June 15: Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has announced that the Grade 12 final examinations will commence, depending on the official declaration of the Islamic New Year holiday, aiming to give students adequate time for preparation while maintaining stability in the educational process.

The decision was made following a meeting chaired by Minister of Education Engineer Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabai with ministry leaders to review exam preparations, field observations from schools, and feedback from students and parents regarding holiday-related scheduling changes.

The ministry said the move reflects its commitment to prioritizing students’ interests by ensuring sufficient time for revision and creating suitable conditions for academic success.

According to the ministry, if the Islamic New Year holiday falls on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Grade 12 examinations will begin on Wednesday, June 17, as previously scheduled. Science stream students will complete their exams on June 28, while arts and religious education students will finish on June 29.

However, if authorities declare the holiday on Wednesday and Thursday, June 17 and 18, exams will be postponed to Sunday, June 21. In this scenario, the sequence of subjects will remain unchanged, with students retaining Tuesday as a break day in line with previous schedules. Science students would conclude their exams on July 1, while arts and religious education students would finish on July 2, with results scheduled to be announced on July 3.

The ministry said revised examination schedules for each scenario will be published through its official website and approved social media accounts once the holiday dates are officially confirmed.

It also stressed that all technical and administrative arrangements related to marking, review, approval of grades, and result announcements have been prepared to ensure university admissions and scholarship procedures proceed on time.

The ministry reaffirmed that the arrangements seek to balance academic requirements with organizational considerations while providing a stable and fair examination environment that supports students’ educational journey and future aspirations.