Kuwait Fires 7,019 Expatriate Teachers Instantly via Sahel App
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Education has started ending contracts for 7,019 expatriate teachers. This is the largest single wave of teacher dismissals in the history of the nation.
- Notices sent via the official government Sahel app between 7 and 8 September 2026.
- Timing coincides with the return of staff to prepare for the new academic year.
- Action is the first phase of a broader strategy to address a surplus of 33,268 public school teachers.
Workforce Breakdown and Savings
The total workforce in Kuwaiti public schools stands at 91,761. Kuwaiti nationals make up 70.6% of the staff. Gulf and Bedoon teachers account for 10.1%. Expatriates of Arab and other nationalities make up the remaining 19.3% and are the primary targets of the reduction plan. The first phase includes 1,551 men and 5,468 women. The ministry expects these cuts to save KD 42 million annually, which is about $137 million. The biggest surpluses are in Physical Education and Islamic Education departments. Affected teachers have a three-month notice period before their contracts officially expire.Impact on Families and Future Plans
Future staffing levels will match actual school needs. Expatriate hiring will only happen in specializations where qualified Kuwaitis are not available. The human impact affects families from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. These families planned school fees, housing, and remittances around the full academic year. One primary mathematics teacher from Egypt got a notification on 8 September after returning to work on 6 September. Financial instability is a major worry because many teachers have personal and family loans. Kuwaiti banks are tightening lending for expatriates. Children of these teachers face sudden relocation or disrupted schooling. Future phases could impact over 26,000 additional positions.Official Advice for Teachers
Authorities gave the following advice to affected teachers:- Monitor the Sahel app for official notices.
- Keep copies of all salary and end-of-service documents.
- Ask school administrations for written clarification about final working days and benefits.
- Contact embassy labor wings for guidance on final exit procedures.
- Talk to banks about existing loans before salaries stop.