The Kuwaiti Ministry of Education has launched the first phase of a plan to reduce its teaching staff, resulting in the termination of 7,019 expatriate teachers of Arab and other nationalities. This action marks the largest mass termination of teachers in the country's educational history.
- 7,019 expatriate teachers of Arab and other nationalities fired in the first phase.
- Plan is projected to save 42 million Kuwaiti dinars, which is about 1.14 billion US dollars, every year.
- Women make up 78 percent of those terminated, with physical education and Islamic studies most affected.
- Notifications are sent through the Sahel government app.
According to a ministry study, there is an excess of 33,268 teachers out of a total staff of approximately 91,761, excluding supervisory roles. The current workforce distribution consists of 70.6% Kuwaiti teachers, 10.1% Gulf and Bidoon individuals, and 19.3% expatriates from Arab and other nations. In this first phase, 1,551 male teachers and 5,468 female teachers are affected, with women comprising 78% of those terminated. The staff reductions are most prominent in the subjects of physical education and Islamic studies, with selections based on seniority. Affected individuals are receiving notification through the government's Sahel application under the heading 'Contract Termination Notice.' The notifications state that contracts are being terminated during the validity of the second contract period, in accordance with the specified notice period.
Education Minister Adel Al-Tabtabaei has directed relevant departments to initiate this plan, which is projected to save approximately 42 million Kuwaiti dinars, equivalent to roughly 1.14 billion US dollars, in annual expenditure. The ministry clarified that it will continue to recruit expatriate teachers for subjects where qualified Kuwaiti candidates are unavailable, and future appointments will be strictly linked to the actual requirements of schools. This policy is part of a broader 'Kuwaitization' initiative aimed at prioritizing national citizens in employment.
The terminations significantly impact many Indian, Egyptian, Jordanian, and other expatriate families living in Kuwait. Affected individuals must leave the country within a specified grace period, which will impact visa renewals and their families' schooling. The ministry has stated that the legal rights and final salary packages of the affected employees will be protected. Schools have recently reopened for the new term as these decisions take effect.
