Before the discovery of Oil there was religious education in Kuwait. Kids were taught Holy Quran through religious schools. Reading, writing and arithmetic were also part of education. As soon as Kuwait established its linkage with outside world the scenario changed and the first formal school, the Al-Mubarkia School was established in 1911. Later, in 1921 the Al-Ahmadiya was established. Both the schools were mainly teaching arithmetic and correspondence.
In 1936, Council of Education was set up and education became more orderly. In 1956, the government in Kuwait adopted a major education plan under which education divided into four categories-
- Kindergarten(two years duration),
- PrimarySchool (four years duration),
- Intermediate(four years duration), and
- Secondary(four years duration).
Both types of schools are there i.e. public and private. Schools are administered according to guidelines laid by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education. There are also many foreign schools providing education in Kuwait. All these schools are registered with the government and administered from the respective ministries.
The Kindergarten education is provided for free. Children between 4 to 6 years of age attend Kindergarten school. The Kuwaiti law requires that all children age between 6 to 14 years must attend school. Education is compulsory from Primary to Intermediate level. Kuwaiti state administration is responsible for providing education at this level. Attendance at schools run by the State is limited only to Kuwaiti children. There are private schools for providing education to Arab expatriates children; these schools receive necessary support from the government.
Higher university education is also available in Kuwait for those who wish to specialize in certain subject of study.
Kuwait joined UNESCO on November 18, 1960. The country is covered by the UNESCO Office in Doha, Qatar. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics has prepared detailed analysis on Education and Literacy Scenario in Kuwait. For complete story, Click Here.
