KUWAIT CITY, June 14: As part of the national replacement process and in implementation of the Kuwaitization plan at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs based on the directives of Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al- Wasmi; the ministry notified some expatriate teachers in the Islamic Studies Sector about the termination of their services within three months, reports Al-Rai daily quoting an official source. The source pointed out that this move aims to give citizens an opportunity to join the teaching staff of the ministry after determining its manpower needs at the beginning of the next academic year.

The source confirmed that 83 expatriate teachers in various departments at the Islamic Studies and Quranic Sciences Sector have been notified about the termination of their employment contracts effective Sept. 30. He explained, “The ministry is keen on appointing nationals to the available teaching positions, particularly in Islamic Studies and Arabic language.” The source said the first batch of terminations includes 83 teachers in the aforementioned sector -- 18 in Ahmadi and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorates, 34 in Farwaniya and Jahra Governorates, and 31 in the Capital and Hawally Governorates.

He revealed “the ministry intends to reduce the number of expatriate teachers to control educational quality, rationalize spending, and provide opportunities for citizens wishing to work as teachers under it.” He added that the appointments will not be made until the surplus teaching staff is eliminated and a study on the manpower needs of the sector is completed. He stressed that as per the instruction of Al-Wasmi; the ministry is working hard to rationalize spending and implement the replacement plan, while halting the appointment of expatriates. He added the concerned authorities have been asked to specify their manpower needs and implement the Kuwaitization policy without disrupting the workflow.