KUWAIT: Sources revealed that the government, represented by the education ministry, has rejected recommendations by an international consultant on the roadmap for the future and the needs of the next 50 years to build scientific programs for schools and public education in Kuwait. "The recommendation involved the total privatization of all schools in Kuwait under the supervision of the government in terms of organization, regulation, performance and accountability. But it was met by government refusal because it does not believe that it fits the Kuwaiti society and there are suspicions that it could be unconstitutional," sources told Kuwait Times.

"The recommendation from the team showed this idea is implemented in many countries, and some countries of the GCC have already began procedures towards this aim," sources said, pointing out that it could save Kuwait a lot of money spent on education without reaching decent educational outcomes, as evident by the outcomes of private education compared to public education.

"The education ministry's budget has exceeded KD 2 billion and is expected to double over the next few years. However, performance is generally weak, as the educational curricula does not meet the standards of the future. Moreover, higher education institutions in Kuwait affirm that they do not receive high school graduates at the level required," sources explained. The sources added the education ministry did not accept the idea of school privatization as free education is part of the Kuwaiti constitution, and the government does not have a clear framework about how to deal with any transformation.