From Humble Schools to Global Classrooms: The Journey of Education in Kuwait

Education is a fundamental pillar of modern societies and the cornerstone of development and progress. In Kuwait, successive governments have demonstrated their commitment to education by guaranteeing it as a right for every citizen. From the early "Katateeb" (traditional schools) to a modern, formalized system, the country has undergone radical transformations that have led to rising literacy rates and widespread access to education. Here, we highlight the key stages of this development.

Phase 1: The "Katateeb" and Pre-Formal Education (until 1911)

The "Katateeb" were the first nuclei of education in Kuwait. Students learned the Quran, Arabic language, and basic arithmetic, often through traditional methods. Early teachers included Sheikh Mohammed bin Fairuz (d. 1723) and Abdul-Jalil Al-Tabtabaie (d. 1854). The first "Katateeb" for girls also appeared in the late 19th century, with notable figures like Sharifa Hussein Al-Ali (b. 1831).

Phase 2: Formal Education (1911-1936)

Al-Mubarakiya School (1911) was Kuwait's first formal school, established by local initiative under Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah. It marked the beginning of official education. In 1921, Al-Ahmadiya School was founded, offering a curriculum that included English and modern sciences. The first school for girls was established shortly after. Education was then officially taken over by the state in 1936, when the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Ma'aref) incorporated the formal schools.

Phase 3: Capacity Building, Scholarships, and Women's Entry into Education (1930s-1950s)

In 1937, Mariam Abdulmalik Al-Saleh became the first Kuwaiti female employee in the Ministry of Education and the first Kuwaiti female teacher. Educational missions were sent to Baghdad in 1938 and Al-Azhar in Cairo in 1939 to train Kuwaiti teachers. The first female teachers, including Nouriya Al-Saif and Anisa Al-Jandal, graduated in 1944. A training class for teachers was created within Al-Mubarakiya School in 1949, and additional training was offered in Beirut in 1950-1951.

Phase 4: The 1955 Education Development Report: A National Roadmap

Between 1954 and 1955, Abdulaziz Hussein, Director of Education, invited two Arab experts, Dr. Matta Akrawi and Ismail Al-Qabbani, to prepare a comprehensive report titled "Report on Education in Kuwait" (March 16, 1955). This was the first systematic educational plan for the country. The report focused on goals such as eradicating illiteracy, fostering citizenship and democracy, and promoting innovation. It proposed making education compulsory for all children up to age 14, and making it institutionalized and free of charge regardless of nationality.

Phase 5: The Flourishing of Education after Oil Discovery and Independence (1950s-1970s)

With the discovery of oil in 1938 and the country's independence in 1961, the number of government schools expanded significantly. By 1945, there were 17 schools. By the 1960s, the number of students had grown to 45,000, with 18,000 of them being girls. At the time of independence, the literacy rate was around 50%, rising to over 72% in 1975, 94% in 2005, and 96.1% in 2018. In 1965, the constitution made education compulsory for children aged 6 to 14.

Phase 6: Higher Education (1966 onwards)

Kuwait University, the first public higher education institution, officially opened in October 1966. It included colleges for sciences, arts, education, and a college for women. The university grew from a small start to over 17 colleges, enrolling around 40,000 students, with campus expansions to the Sabah Al-Salem University City in 2019.

In 1982, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) was established to enhance technical skills and labor, particularly to support industrial expansion. In the early 2000s, the Arab Open University was established in Kuwait, expanding open education with a flexible approach and a partnership with the British Open University. In 2002, the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) was founded as the country's first private university, in partnership with the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Phase 7: The 21st Century: Major Reforms and a Future Focus

A comprehensive national education reform program was implemented in partnership with the World Bank from 2010 to 2020. This program focused on curricula, learning outcomes, school leadership, and educational policy development. In 2008, the "National Conference for Education Development" was held to coordinate goals and leverage global organizations like the GCC and OECD to improve the educational environment and support women and development projects. Today, education is a key part of "Kuwait's 2035 Vision," as the country transitions toward a knowledge-based economy and sustainable human development.

Notable figures have emerged in the history of Kuwaiti education, including Lulwa Al-Qatami, the first Kuwaiti woman to study abroad, a former director of Kuwait University, a UNESCO ambassador, and a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. She played a pivotal role in advancing women's education, curriculum development, and civil society.

The journey of education in Kuwait has been an inspiring one, from the traditional "Katateeb" to the establishment of an integrated educational system encompassing public, technical, higher, and private education. The state, educational institutions, and pioneering educators have built a strong foundation of knowledge, contributing to a high literacy rate, empowering women, and preparing a generation of educated individuals capable of keeping pace with local and global changes.

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