KUWAIT CITY, Nov 26: While the Ministry of Education and all concerned departments are preparing for the gradual return of students to school early March next year through the adoption of a "blended education system", which combines online and traditional learning methods, informed sources revealed that all decisions in this regard are conditional upon the approval of the Ministry of Health, and the arrival of COVID-19 vaccine in the country, reports Al-Qabas daily.

They said an upcoming meeting will be held soon between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to resolve some important educational issues, most notably the paper-based exams for the secondary stage and the possibility of students returning to schools at the beginning of the second semester.

The Ministry of Education affirmed that any decision regarding exams for all academic levels will only be issued in coordination with the health authorities, and in line with the instructions and procedures followed, in order to preserve the safety of the students and members of the educational and administrative staff.

It stated that the meeting, which was held early this week and was chaired by acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Faisal Al-Maqsid, was concerned only about discussing the preparation for the return of the students to schools in the event that the Cabinet decided so, after the availability of the Coronavirus vaccine, and that the issue of paper-based exams were not addressed.

Al-Maqsid said during the meeting that the students' return to school may be at the beginning of the second semester or before that.

He stressed on the importance of developing a gradual plan for the return of the students in conjunction with the fifth phase for the return to normal life.

Al-Maqsid sanctioned the formation of a small committee under his chairmanship to lay down the complete vision and present it at the meeting scheduled to be held at the beginning of next week so that the committee’s proposal is studied and the gradual plan for returning to schools is discussed.