Study in Kuwait - EducationAL System IN KUWAIT

GENERAL INFO   |   EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM   |   SECONDARY EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION   |   FOREIGN STUDENTS   |   SPECIAL NEEDS

In 1993 Kuwait's population was highly educated, both in comparison to other states in the region and in comparison to its pre-oil education levels. The impressive education system was brought about by a conscious government decision, made possible by revenues from oil that began in the 1950s, to invest heavily in human resources.

Although the pre-oil education system was modest by 1993 standards, it was still impressive, given the limited finances at the time. In the early 1900s, education consisted largely of Quran schools offering basic literacy training in the context of religious instruction. This system provided some formal schooling for nearly all boys and most girls. Wealthy families often sent sons abroad for further education. In the first decades of the twentieth century, merchants anxious for more extensive training for their sons opened a few private schools, notably the Mubarakiyyah School in 1911 and the Ahmadiyyah School in 1921. In the 1930s, merchants established the Education Council and expanded the system to include four new primary schools, including one for girls. The government soon took over this growing system and, with new oil revenues after World War II, rapidly expanded the system. In 1956 the government laid down the basis of the education system that still existed in 1993: kindergarten and primary, middle, and secondary schools.

Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 14

Structure of school system:
Primary
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 6 to 10 years old

Intermediate
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 10 to 14 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Intermediate School Certificate

General Secondary
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 14 to 18 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Shahadat Al-Thanawiya-Al-A'ama
School education

Secondary education is not compulsory. It consists in a four-year cycle comprising grades nine through twelve. For grades nine and ten, students follow a common curriculum. For grades eleven and twelve, they may choose Science or Arts specializations. Religious and Special Education secondary specializations are also offered. The Ministry of Education supervises all aspects of secondary education, both public and private, for general and Islamic education.

Kuwait University is the only university in the country. It comprises 30 departments in the following colleges: Arts; Commerce, Economics, and Political Science; Engineering and Petroleum; Law; Islamic Law (sharii 'a) and Islamic Studies; Medicine; Allied Health and Nursing; Science; Education; Graduate Studies; and the Women's College.

There is also the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, as well as the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts and the Higher Institute of Musical Arts. Non university higher education is provided by several Colleges and a Cadet Academy (Military), as well as Training Centres.

Admission requirements

A limited number of foreign students may be admitted, subject to availability of relevant resources and facilities. Selection is based on merit and national interest. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 2.67 on a scale of 4.

For acceptance for scholarships, certificates must be either in Arabic, English or French or translated into one of these languages and authenticated. It must be attested by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassy of Kuwait in the student's country.

To obtain a scholarship students must be chosen to study in Kuwait by the students' government or by an institution, or a corporation accredited by the Government. The Kuwait National Commission for Education, Science and Culture is the only organ that has the right to consider each application and take a decision.

The Khalifa School for Children with Special Needs believes that every person has the fundamental right to an appropriate education, Which will enable him/her to reach his/her fullest potential. This is not only in the best interest of the person with a handicap, but also of his/her family and of the society as a whole.

The Khalifa School provides consultation and assessments from a team to specialists. The team consists of Development, Nurses, psychologists, Speech Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Vocational Trainers and Special Education Teachers. Qualified and experienced teachers of children with special needs are employed to develop the curriculum and oversee all teaching.