Kuwait to cut hundreds of expat teachers

Kuwait’s Ministry of Education is reportedly preparing to cut hundreds of expatriate teachers under plans to increase the numbers of Kuwaitis in the sector.

Kuwait Times cited ministry insiders as saying lists have been prepared containing the names of up to 400 teachers that can be released by the end of the upcoming school year.

The cuts aim to ensure that 25 per cent of teachers are Kuwaiti in certain subjects including computer science and social studies.

The publication said teachers who will be released would likely be notified about their termination in October, giving them until the end of the school year to make arrangements.

The report follows remarks from Ministry of Education assistant undersecretary for public education Fatima Al Kandari at the end of last year suggesting the country would cut 25 per cent of expat teachers.

She said that the cuts would focus on areas where there are already a high number of Kuwaiti, GCC and Bedouin teachers, such as in social sciences.

Read: Kuwait to axe 25% of expat teachers

Kuwait has recently sought to reduce the number of expats in the country to rebalance the local population.

Read: Kuwait To Freeze Expat Numbers

Recent proposals under consideration include deporting expats that lose their job, according to reports.

Read: Kuwait considers deporting expats that lose their job