KUWAIT CITY, July 27: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ali Al-Yaqoub continues to follow up on the achievements of each sector of the ministry. During a weekly meeting with the Council of Assistant Undersecretaries to discuss the latest preparations for the next academic year 2021/2022, he discussed the plan for the gradual safe return of students to schools. The meeting dealt with a number of proposals, in addition to a detailed explanation of the mechanism for returning to schools in line with the health protocols and precautionary measures put in place by the health authorities to ensure the safety of students, teachers and school administration. Various sectors confirmed their readiness to ensure safe return of students to schools next September with extensive plans, despite the exceptional health conditions that Kuwait and the world are going through due to the Corona pandemic.

For its part, senior education sources told Al-Seyassah daily procrastination in some sectors hinder the preparations for the return to school activity and added the percentage of completion of plans are below requirement. Meanwhile, the Council of Education Ministry Assistant Undersecretaries has approved a plan for the safe return to schools for academic year 2021/2022 in accordance with the comprehensive return system associated with the strict application of health regulations to guarantee the safety of everyone, reports Al-Jarida daily. The council took this decision during its weekly meeting presided over by Undersecretary of the ministry Professor Doctor Ali Al-Yacoub, during which they discussed preparations for the next academic year.

They talked about many proposals, in addition to a detailed explanation on the return to school mechanism along with the implementation of health regulations and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students, teachers and school administration. Al-Yacoub told the daily that the ministry’s plan for the upcoming academic year includes specifying the requirements and objectives for the safe return to school in coordination with the concerned committee. He pointed out the plan consists of three options: first is full return to traditional working hours if health conditions allow with the approval of the Council of Ministers and health authorities; if this not possible, the second option is ‘hybrid’ education (mixture of online and face-to-face classes), and if health conditions become more difficult, the last option is online education. He affirmed that the competent authorities in the ministry laid down the three options, specified the requirements for each option and presented appropriate conditions for their application; such that the ministry is ready for all possibilities. He said “this is important now that we are dealing with a pandemic which requires daily follow up. All sectors are working hard to provide the necessary equipment for the return of students after a long break.”

He added a guide has been prepared for schools through which the parents, teachers and students will benefit as it consists of an explanation of the return to school and work mechanism. They can see all the details related to school hours, academic calendar, objectives and work mechanism. The guide will be uploaded on the ministry’s website, he disclosed. He stressed that the ministry is keen on protecting the health and ensuring the safety of students, school workers and their families. “This is the reason why the ministry is keen on implementing health protocols once the new academic year begins in September,” he added; while pointing out the ministry’s success in implementing the regulations during the paper exams period at the end of the last academic year. By Abdul Rahman Al-Shimmari Al-Seyassah, Arab Times Staff and Agencies