KUWAIT CITY, Oct 29: The Ministry of Education is in the process of implementing a fingerprint attendance system in schools, having recently finalized the contract with the supplier.

Despite opposition within the public education sector of the ministry, which favored maintaining the existing system, the ministry proceeded with the contract. An official source told Al-Rai daily, many regions have not yet been informed of the installation date for these devices, although it is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks. This delay is expected because the ministry did not cancel the tender and continued the process of awarding the contract.

The implementation of this decision involves several steps, with one of the most crucial being the development of the organizational structure of schools. This includes defining roles and responsibilities for specific positions and determining their hierarchical relationships. These changes are unlikely to occur during the current academic year.

The Ministry of Education has assured the Teachers' Association that teachers will not be subject to fingerprinting, as their profession is distinct from other government roles governed by the regulations of the Civil Service Commission. Sources have emphasized that teaching is a demanding profession, unlike other occupations.

Former Education Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Adwani had issued a letter to the Civil Service Commission, rejecting equating teaching with other professions. He cited various obstacles related to school structure and the challenges of implementing fingerprinting in the teaching profession.