Kuwait Tightens Rules on School Graduations and Events: Less Glitz, More Grit

According to the ministry, the circular is based on Ministerial Resolution No. 135/2025, which regulates graduation ceremonies in public and private schools. It aims to strengthen the role of schools in fostering a sense of belonging and reinforcing positive values, while ensuring the continuity of the educational process. It underscored the need for all school administrations to comply with these general guidelines when organizing celebrations or events inside or outside school premises.

Graduation ceremonies and other special occasions must take place only in the school auditorium, not the school grounds or any other venue. It clarified that any event not included in the approved annual plan of the school requires written approval from the relevant departments in the Educational Support Services General Directorate, with endorsement from the Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs. It added that each event must have a clearly defined educational purpose that supports the curriculum or promotes ethical, national or educational values.

Television coverage of such events by entities outside the ministry is prohibited as well, unless it is approved by the Public Relations and Educational Media Department. Students and schools are not permitted to participate in celebrations organized by external parties without approval from the Educational Support Services General Directorate. The ministry underscored the importance of adhering to the prescribed school uniform for students during events. When special attire is worn, it must comply with the standards of modesty and public decency. Excessive decorations, festivities or hospitality should be avoided, along with displays of extravagance or wastefulness that conflict with the educational mission. It is prohibited to play or display audio or visual material that contradicts the values, customs and traditions of Kuwaiti society or promotes ideas unrelated to education. Events connected to national or religious occasions must reflect their significance and value. The ministry then called for the circulation of these regulations to the principals of secondary schools and ensure their strict implementation.

On the other hand, Head of the Awareness Department at the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) Maryam Ibrahim unveiled a plan to develop the school canteen system, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, as per the best nutritional and regulatory standards. In a press statement, Ibrahim revealed that this step is in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 15/2025 on the school canteen regulations. She said PAFN invited food companies wishing to supply or invest in the school canteen development project as per the regulations, indicating that the aim is to improve the quality of food services provided to students.

She added that the submission of applications started on April 12 and it will continue until May 12, through the public registry of PAFN at its headquarters in Sabah Al- Salem. She stated that applicants must fulfil the requirements, such as obtaining a letter of approval from the Educational Activities Department at the Ministry of Education, and submitting copies of the health and commercial licenses of the food establishment, as well as a copy of the civil identification card of the legal representative. She stressed the need for companies to strictly comply with the list of food products allowed in school canteens, as stipulated in the regulations, to ensure the provision of healthy and safe options for the students. She explained that this approach is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and support national efforts to provide a healthy and safe school environment. She added that PAFN remains committed to the development of the nutrition system and public health through the efficient implementation of initiatives, particularly those within the educational environment, which is considered the pillar in building future generations. She indicated that paying attention to the health of students is not less important than the educational process, as it is vital for ensuring excellence and healthy development through the integrated roles of all concerned parties. In a related development,

The Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies (UCCS) has begun assessing the capacity of cooperative societies to manage school canteens under the Ministry of Education, according to a proposed mechanism that is still under review and subject to ongoing discussions between the relevant authorities. According to informed sources, the mechanism has not yet been finalised. In a letter sent by UCCS to the chairpersons of cooperative boards, it was explained that the initiative follows a meeting held at the end of last year with Minister of Education Eng. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei regarding the proposed mechanism for managing school canteens. This is in addition to a previous proposal submitted to the Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila. UCCS has requested cooperative societies to demonstrate their ability to manage school canteens within their respective operational areas, in accordance with the conditions outlined in the proposal, and to provide a direct sales outlet for cooperative societies. It also called on cooperative societies to submit official written confirmations of their approval, so that UCCS can proceed with coordinating with the relevant authorities in this regard.

The proposed mechanism involves transforming school canteens into direct sales points affiliated with cooperative societies. This includes renovating the canteens, displaying the name of the local cooperative society, and standardising the design of kiosks and service windows in a modern and aesthetically pleasing manner, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The mechanism also includes supplying the required food products in accordance with the standards of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), with the possibility of increasing the number of permitted items in school canteens and adding fresh food and juices. In addition, the mechanism suggests allocating a cash register linked to the cooperative society, along with a computerised system for entering shareholder numbers and calculating purchases as part of shareholder returns.

Given the large number of students, the proposal stipulates that sales will be conducted through canteen windows. The goods delivered will be held in trust by a school employee, who will be responsible for conducting a daily inventory at the end of the school day. This inventory will be registered under the name of the designated school employee. Teachers or assigned personnel will handle direct sales to students. Cooperative society employees may be utilized if the society is capable of fully managing the canteen for a specified period. UCCS also proposes that payments be made in cash only, with collections carried out at the end of school hours and deposited into the cooperative society’s accounts on the same day or, at the latest, the following day.

The proceeds will be transferred in full to the cooperative society’s account without any deductions for the Ministry of Education. The proposal includes the installation of security cameras belonging to the Ministry of Education, to be monitored by each school. The Ministry of Education will provide the relevant investigative authorities with camera recordings in cases of shortages or suspected theft. The proposed mechanism also suggests that, if approved by the relevant authorities, the plan would be implemented starting in the 2026/2027 academic year for a period of three years, renewable for a similar term. The first semester of that academic year would serve as a trial period, during which weekly reports would be submitted in the first month, followed by monthly reports in the second month, to address any issues and develop solutions for future requirements.