KUWAIT CITY, July 1: In an indication that government austerity measure has become a path for all State agencies to take in the future, the Ministry of Finance asked its education counterpart to use the appropriate legal tool in taking the necessary measures to reduce expenditures and find a mechanism for implementing financial reforms to contribute to the reduction of budget in response to the Cabinet’s decision in this regard.

Sources disclosed the Ministry of Finance proposed to its education counterpart the cancellation of the transportation for students to and from schools, reduce services contracts especially the provision of security guards by 25 percent as well as cleaning and hospitality by 50 percent for existing contracts; while the reduction for new contracts should be higher.

Sources said the Ministry of Finance also demanded for cancellation of all appointment contracts under the consulting item, excluding the IT employees. Sources added the ministry gave its education counterpart one week to respond to its proposals.