KUWAIT CITY, Oct 26: Minister of Education Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei on Sunday issued a decision to form an impartial investigation committee to examine observations and violations related to the printing and supply of schoolbooks for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The ministry said in a press statement that the move comes as part of its commitment to strengthening transparency and ensuring the integrity of contractual and financial procedures connected to schoolbook printing and supply operations.

According to the statement, the committee will include members from the Fatwa and Legislation Department and legal experts from other relevant bodies. The committee will review the legal procedures of 115 practices proposed by the ministry, with each practice covering the printing and supply of a single schoolbook.

The committee will begin by investigating the awarding of contracts to companies and printing presses that submitted bids, verifying their compliance with general and specific conditions, technical specifications, and contractual provisions stated in the tender documents. It will also ensure that the awarded entities implement their work according to the specified timelines.

Furthermore, the committee will verify that the winning printing presses met all requirements, review the reasons for excluding other bidders, and confirm the legality of all procedures. It will examine documents submitted by excluded companies, request additional records when necessary, and review them directly or through a designated representative.

The ministry noted that the committee is empowered to directly investigate any administrative or financial violations uncovered during its document reviews. Responsibility for such violations will be attributed to the relevant individuals according to their jurisdiction. The committee may also consider any other matters referred to it by the minister.

The decision emphasizes the obligation of the committee’s chairman and members to maintain strict confidentiality regarding meetings, deliberations, minutes, and any information accessed in the course of their duties. Disclosure or reproduction of such information is strictly prohibited to safeguard procedural integrity and ensure the smooth progress of the committee’s work.

The committee may also seek assistance from experts and specialists deemed necessary, though these individuals will not have voting rights during deliberations. Its term will last one month from the date of its first meeting, which will be held outside official working hours. The committee may request an extension by submitting a justified formal request.

At the conclusion of its term, the committee will submit a detailed final report to the Minister of Education, including the investigation’s findings and recommendations, in preparation for taking appropriate legal and administrative action.