KUWAIT CITY, Aug 19: With the start of the countdown to the new academic year 2023/2024, the Ahmadi Educational Zone has found itself involved in a controversy with the residents of the Khairan residential area who are anxiously awaiting the opening of four new schools in their area, reports Al-Rai daily. Some leading and parliamentary figures had made promises to them regarding the launch of these schools as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Education has completed maintenance and restoration work in all its facilities, and has issued decisions to name them. However, no decision has yet been issued to operate them. According to an educational source, none of the four schools has yet been furnished or provided with the necessary equipment. However, there are security guards, and there is no problem with furnishing it during the current time if sufficient furniture is available. Previously, the lack of security in the premises had led to vandalism, which occurred during the handover process between the Ministry of Education and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare. The residents of the area knocked on all doors for the opening of the aforementioned schools, which were under investigation in the Public Prosecution and the legal sector of the ministry due to the vandalism incidents that they were exposed to more than a decade ago.

Despite the government’s keen interest in opening these schools and bringing them into service as soon as possible, there are no signs in this regard, especially since they are not included among the new schools that will enter service in the new academic year. In March, the administration of Ahmadi Educational Zone issued a general bulletin for all its educational levels regarding listing the desires of transfer to the schools of the residential city of Khairan, and requested that the form for students be circulated to all schools, stressing the need to fill out the attached form with its bulletin based on the wishes of the students and send it to the department for planning and information.

The source revealed, “Many leading and parliamentary figures and some public figures visited the aforementioned area and inspected its service facilities. They also made promises to the people to end their suffering, but there is nothing new until this moment. The file of operating schools occupies the top of the list in the suffering of its residents. Determining the date for its entry into service will alleviate much of this suffering.” On the other hand, the source revealed the opening of two new kindergartens in the Sabah Al-Ahmad area. He explained that the ministry has issued decisions for naming them. They have been provided with the necessary furniture, equipment and technologies.

There is an escalation of requests to replace damaged furniture in all educational areas, but it does not amount to a furniture crisis in any of them. The source indicated that the first batch of teachers will arrive in the country starting from the end of this month, adding that internal transfers are still valid in some educational zones. He said compulsory transfer is included in all areas according to the deficit and surplus, the number of schools that will enter service, and the extent of their need from the educational body.