[Kuwait] 7,000 teacher roles terminated to address staffing surplus

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Education is issuing termination notices to 7,019 teachers of Arab and other nationalities, Gulf News reports.

The move represents the first phase of a wider effort to reduce a large surplus of teaching staff across government schools.

The affected teachers have started receiving “Contract Termination Notice” notifications through the government’s Sahel.

The notices reportedly state that the ministry is proceeding with terminating their second contracts, while they remain in force, in accordance with the relevant contractual provision and the prescribed notice period.

The job cuts follow a ministry review of staffing levels which identified a surplus of about 33,268 teachers across a range of subjects and educational stages. 

The ministry said the restructuring will be carried out gradually, and staffing numbers will be better aligned with schools’ actual requirements.

The first phase - impacting 7,019 teachers, including 1,551 men and 5,468 women - is expected to reduce annual salary expenditure by about KD42 million, published ministry figures said.

According to the ministry, the affected teachers are from specialisations with staffing levels which exceed current needs. Surpluses have been identified across subjects including Arabic, English, Islamic education, art, music, mathematics, science, physical education and several secondary-school disciplines, depending on the educational stage and whether the schools serve boys or girls.

Officials said that individuals whose services are being terminated will be notified through Sahel in accordance with approved administrative and legal procedures, and their employment rights will be preserved.

The restructuring reportedly supports Kuwait’s effort to expand the employment of qualified nationals in teaching positions where sufficient local talent is available, while continuing to recruit from abroad for subjects where shortages remain.

Source: Gulf News

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Education is issuing termination notices to 7,019 teachers of Arab and other nationalities, Gulf News reports.

The move represents the first phase of a wider effort to reduce a large surplus of teaching staff across government schools.

The affected teachers have started receiving “Contract Termination Notice” notifications through the government’s Sahel.

The notices reportedly state that the ministry is proceeding with terminating their second contracts, while they remain in force, in accordance with the relevant contractual provision and the prescribed notice period.

The job cuts follow a ministry review of staffing levels which identified a surplus of about 33,268 teachers across a range of subjects and educational stages. 

The ministry said the restructuring will be carried out gradually, and staffing numbers will be better aligned with schools’ actual requirements.

The first phase - impacting 7,019 teachers, including 1,551 men and 5,468 women - is expected to reduce annual salary expenditure by about KD42 million, published ministry figures said.

According to the ministry, the affected teachers are from specialisations with staffing levels which exceed current needs. Surpluses have been identified across subjects including Arabic, English, Islamic education, art, music, mathematics, science, physical education and several secondary-school disciplines, depending on the educational stage and whether the schools serve boys or girls.

Officials said that individuals whose services are being terminated will be notified through Sahel in accordance with approved administrative and legal procedures, and their employment rights will be preserved.

The restructuring reportedly supports Kuwait’s effort to expand the employment of qualified nationals in teaching positions where sufficient local talent is available, while continuing to recruit from abroad for subjects where shortages remain.

Source: Gulf News