According to Abdul Hadi Al-Ajmi, a former university history teacher and current deputy, a mission was dispatched to Egypt and Jordan in 2015 to explore scholarship opportunities for students pursuing medical studies. Fast forward eight years, another delegation was dispatched to the same countries.

However, upon their return, the delegation conveyed a verdict that these countries were no longer deemed suitable for medical education. Consequently, the scholarship program was subsequently terminated. Truth The truth reveals an entirely different narrative, sourced from parties devoid of any intention to defame. These sources were not only firsthand witnesses but also participants in both the initial 2015 delegation and the subsequent one in 2023.

Numerous high school graduates were admitted to medical schools in Egypt and Jordan, often times funding their own education. As concerns grew regarding their academic performance, a delegation consisting of representatives from higher education and health was dispatched in 2015 to visit both countries. Their findings highlighted a dire need for significant improvement in the educational landscape. Consequently, a series of stringent requirements were imposed upon the universities, encompassing enhanced admission standards, reduced student numbers, comprehensive teaching, and stricter attendance regulations.

Upon the delegation’s return and the graduation of two medical cohorts in Egypt and Jordan, health authorities lodged complaints with higher education, asserting that the caliber of medical graduates from these countries remained subpar, with suspicions arising that some may not even possess the qualifications of true “doctors.” Requests were made to immediately cease the scholarship program, given the necessity for intensive rehabilitation and training for every graduate -- a process that is both demanding and costly.

In an effort to dispel any potential misinformation, another delegation was constituted just a few months ago, comprised of pertinent authorities. This delegation embarked on visits to Egypt and Jordan, only to discover that the commitments made by these medical faculties were not honored; instead, the situation had worsened. In Jordan, for instance, an annual admission of 2,000 medical students is divided across 4 lecture halls -- with merely one lecturer to cater to them all. Among these students, 500 are Kuwaitis. On a field visit, it became evident that the majority of students, except one Kuwaiti female student, did not attend classes; they merely listened to prerecorded lectures. Furthermore, the committee observed a lack of oversight concerning attendance and absenteeism.

Hospital visits by the delegation disclosed that students were neglecting vital clinical courses crucial for their medical education. Additionally, it was revealed that the admission rate at the Faculty of Medicine remained low, with the country’s Education Minister possessing the authority to reduce it to 75%. Upon the delegation’s return, it recommended an immediate suspension of any further student enrollment for medical studies in Egypt and Jordan. We hope that the deputy will engage with the aforementioned facts and consider rectifying any misconceptions or, alternatively, summon the courage to acknowledge any potential errors.

In a similar vein, during a previous period, all governmental bodies turned a blind eye to the alarming involvement of approximately 40,000 male and female students in widespread cheating during recent examinations. The outcome of this situation was that Kuwait achieved the highest percentage of academic excellence ever recorded in the world for the 2022-2023 academic year. However, the aftermath of this purported excellence led to an unexpected outcome – the rejection of 12 male and female students by the University of Malta, a university not regarded as the premier institution and one in dire need of student enrollment.

The university’s refusal was attributed to the students’ subpar performance levels, which rendered them incapable of even passing a personal interview. Regrettably, neither this distressing narrative nor numerous other similar incidents seem to stir the conscience of any political official or parliamentarian to dedicate even a modicum of attention to this critically important matter. This, indeed, is an unfortunate reality we face. A close friend, who dedicated decades of service to the field of education, recounts an experience where he was appointed as a member of the “Supreme Council for Education.”

This council is tasked with education development, policy formulation, and shaping future visions. In its inaugural year, the council convened twice -- once for protocol and acquaintanceship. During the second year, a single meeting was held, after which all meetings ceased. Similarly, none of the proposals or viewpoints put forth by council members, despite the ministerial changes that occurred twice within three years, were considered, discussed, or acted upon.

Tenure
The members’ tenure concluded, and each member received 12,000 dinars in exchange for a total of five commutes over the span of three years -- commutes that led them to the meeting venue and back home, with no substantive contributions. This narrative resonates with frustration and disappointment, as the status quo remains unaltered. This account underscores a pattern that has, is, and likely will continue to manifest within the most pivotal and potentially impactful supreme councils of the state. With this in mind, one can only imagine the state of affairs within other councils, encompassing areas like traffic management, leisure, and contentment. Add to this, a minister has come forward to express that the objectives outlined in the 2035 plan have yet to materialize. Consequently, he suggests “stretching” the plan’s timeline to 2040.

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e-mail: [email protected]

By Ahmad alsarraf