KUWAIT CITY, May 30: While the Educational Facilities Sector at the Ministry of Education stressed that the renovation of government schools is subject to the availability of budgets, the sector in coordination with the Public Education Sector is prioritizing the construction of new school buildings as well as school buildings that need to be renovated. A report prepared by the sector’s assistant undersecretary, Yassin Al-Yassin, on the work plan for the construction of new schools, demolition and renovation and maintenance of schools indicated there is coordination between the ministries of Education and Public Works to determine the suitability of school buildings for use, provided the MPW provides a comprehensive construction report complete with the construction status of the buildings determining whether they need demolition, renovation or maintenance.

The report indicated 13 government schools were closed three years ago upon instructions of the MPW in various educational regions, including 4 schools in Al-Ahmadi Educational Area, 4 in Hawalli, a religious institute in Farwaniya and 4 in the Capital. The report revealed the preparation of a five-year construction plan from 2020/2021 – 2024/ 2025”, which determines the need for schools in each educational district. The plan includes the establishment of 71 schools for all educational levels for boys and girls, with 23 new schools in Al-Ahmadi Educational Area, 22 in Hawalli and 3 schools in Jahra for the next academic year. The sites for the construction of these schools are expected to be handed over by the Kuwait Municipality. He pointed out that in the Capital Educational Area 3 new schools -- two primary and a kindergarten schools will be built in the suburb of Granada -- for the first time that schools will be established in this region. The report also said 3 schools will be established in the Farwaniya Educational Zone in addition to the establishment of 17 schools in the Capital and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational zones. - By Abdul Rahman Al-Shimmari Al-Seyassah, Arab Times Staff