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A picture taken on September 9, 2016 shows a general view of Muslim pilgrims from all around the world circling around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, in the Saudi city of Mecca.nThe annual Hajj pilgrimage begins on September 10, and more than a million Muslims have already flocked to Saudi Arabia in preparation for what will for many be the highlight of their spiritual lives.  / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI
A picture taken on September 9, 2016 shows a general view of Muslim pilgrims from all around the world circling around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, in the Saudi city of Mecca.nThe annual Hajj pilgrimage begins on September 10, and more than a million Muslims have already flocked to Saudi Arabia in preparation for what will for many be the highlight of their spiritual lives. / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI

Kuwait assures pilgrims of convenience as Hajj nears

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Library and Information Association, has launched the Excellence Award for school libraries across all educational stages at public, religious, and special education schools.

According to a ministry press release, the award aims to foster a competitive environment that encourages the ongoing development and innovation of school libraries. This initiative seeks to enhance library services and activities that support educational curricula, ultimately strengthening the libraries’ role in the educational process and meeting students’ needs. The press release didn’t mention whether private Arabic schools under the ministry qualify for the award.

This move is part of recent efforts to revitalize school libraries. In September 2024, the Ministry of Education issued a directive to all public and private Arabic schools and kindergartens, instructing them to allocate class time for reading in the school library. A ministry official emphasized the importance of these reading sessions, which expose students to a variety of literary works. These sessions are seen as vital for developing students’ reading skills at an early age.

Under the directives, a librarian has been assigned to each school to coordinate with the Arabic Language Department to organize library visits. Librarians are also tasked with preparing regular reports on the frequency of reading classes and student participation.

While the concept of reading classes isn’t new in Kuwait, challenges such as limited facilities and a compressed curriculum have hindered their regular implementation. School libraries, although crucial for promoting reading, are often absent in private Arabic schools. Where libraries do exist, they are often too small to accommodate an entire class of at least 40 students.

Nominations for the Excellence Award will continue until March 3. Each educational district can nominate only one school from each educational stage. The judging team, made up of members from the Library and Information Association and the Ministry’s Libraries Department, will evaluate the nominated libraries from April 2 to April 20. The team will visit schools to assess the libraries based on the award criteria.

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