12 Key Facts About Kuwait’s New Secondary Pathways System

Minister of Education Eng. Sayed Jalal Al‑Tabtabaei has approved the official framework for the new Secondary Pathways System, set to be implemented starting in the 2026/2027 academic year. The reform aims to modernize secondary education and help students build academic trajectories aligned with their abilities, interests, and future career needs.

According to the Ministry of Education, the new system introduces a structured model that begins with a foundation and exploration phase, then transitions into specialized pathways. The framework regulates admission, registration, coursework, assessment, and graduation requirements.

1. Duration and Structure of Study

The pathways system spans three academic years—from Grade 10 to Grade 12—divided into six semesters. Student progression depends on the number of completed units. If a student struggles in a specific course, remediation is applied to that course only, without affecting previously completed units.

Each student receives an academic record detailing grades, GPA, and remaining requirements, enabling families and schools to monitor progress and intervene early when needed.

2. Foundation and Exploration Phase

Students begin with a foundation year that includes:

• Islamic Studies
• Arabic Language
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Integrated Sciences
• Social Studies
• Computing
• Exploration
• Physical Education
• Free Choice

Students take one exploration course in the first semester and the second in the next. These courses provide hands‑on exposure to different fields and help determine the student’s future pathway.

3. When Do Students Choose Their Pathway?

Students select their pathway after completing 18 units and meeting all foundation requirements, including aptitude assessments, interest surveys, and counseling sessions.

Educational counselors review results with students and parents before documenting the final decision. The system offers eight pathways:

1.      Mathematics

2.     Sciences

3.     Languages

4.    Business

5.     Industrial

6.    Technology & Artificial Intelligence

7.     Law

8.    Social Sciences

4. Criteria for Pathway Placement

Student preference is the primary factor, provided capacity and requirements are met. If prioritization is needed, the following weights apply:

• 35% cumulative GPA
• 25% average scores in pathway‑related courses
• 15% aptitude
• 10% interests
• 10% exploration performance
• 5% counseling report

Students must earn at least 2 GPA points in prerequisite courses for their chosen pathway. Placement decisions are shared with students, who may appeal through approved procedures.

5. Coursework After Choosing a Pathway

Across the remaining four semesters, students study:

• 4 general core courses
• 4 pathway‑specific courses
• Physical Education
• Free Choice

Pathway courses include mandatory and elective components. Students may switch pathways under specific conditions, with clear documentation of equivalent courses and graduation impact.

6. Units and Weekly Load

Each semester includes nine units and a weekly load of 35 periods. Physical Education and Free Choice each carry half a unit, with PE taught once weekly and Free Choice twice weekly.

Both are graded on a pass/fail basis and count toward graduation but not GPA.

7. The Flexible Period

A mandatory weekly flexible period is dedicated to:

• Counseling
• Academic support
• Skill development
• Approved activities

Attendance is recorded, but the period carries no grade or academic penalty. It cannot be used to teach or compensate academic courses.

8. Student Assessment

Assessment combines coursework and final evaluation:

Theoretical Courses:

• 40 marks coursework
• 60 marks final exam

Laboratory/Practical Courses:

• 50 marks coursework
• 50 marks final exam

Exploration Course:

• 60 marks coursework
• 40 marks final task & portfolio

Final exams follow centralized standards. Grades are converted to a four‑point GPA scale.

9. Handling Absence or Academic Difficulty

Learning difficulties and academic struggles are addressed through support plans and remediation. Students may retake courses or improve GPA under regulated conditions. If a student misses a final exam due to a documented medical excuse, coursework is preserved and the student is not considered failing.

10. Attendance and Graduation Requirements

Attendance is tracked per period, with progressive warnings before any deprivation decision. Graduation requires:

• Completion of 54 units
• Fulfillment of pathway courses
• Completion of all graduation requirements
• A cumulative GPA of at least 1.0

Only 48 units count toward GPA; PE and Free Choice remain outside GPA calculation.

11. Graduation Project and Community Service

The graduation project is mandatory, carries zero units, and is graded pass/fail. Students must also complete 60 documented field hours—15 hours per semester from the third to the sixth semester—covering community service or field training.

12. Summer Study and Early Graduation

An optional summer semester allows students to complete up to 9 units for remediation or acceleration. Eligible students may graduate at the end of the fifth semester if all requirements are met.

The system is currently implemented in 12 schools—one for boys and one for girls in each educational district—and is undergoing continuous evaluation before nationwide expansion.